ADVOCACY & POLICY UPDATE - November 10, 2025

Historic Shutdown End in Sight as Senators Move Deal Forward

Washington Update

Appropriations

On Sunday, November 9, the Senate took a key procedural step toward ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, voting 60-40 to end debate and advance a bipartisan spending bill. Eight Democrats joined Republicans to move forward on a temporary measure that would fund most federal agencies through January 30 and provide full-year funding for three appropriations bills — Agriculture-FDA, Military Construction-VA, and the Legislative Branch. The agreement also reverses layoffs made during the shutdown, guarantees back pay for furloughed federal workers, and extends full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through September 30, 2026. 

The deal followed bipartisan negotiations led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (SD), who agreed to hold a December vote on legislation extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that were enhanced during the pandemic and set to expire at the end of this year. The lack of guaranteed extension, however, drew criticism from several Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY), who objected to the bill’s omission of health care provisions.

The eight Democratic senators who supported the deal were Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), Jacky Rosen (NV), Dick Durbin (IL), John Fetterman (PA), Maggie Hassan (NH), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Tim Kaine (VA), joined by Angus King (ME) — an independent who caucuses with Democrats. Thune had offered Democrats a vote on extending health care subsidies for weeks, but the effects of the shutdown became too severe for them to ignore. Senator King, a key negotiator, indicated the worsening effects of the shutdown — including missing paychecks, halted SNAP benefits, and air travel disruptions — ultimately convinced several senators to break ranks. 

Sunday’s vote allows the Senate to formally debate the spending measure before a final vote. The Senate reconvened today at 11 a.m. ET to continue working toward ending the shutdown, which is now in its 41st day. The upper chamber could pass the deal as early as today, but would still need to amend the House-passed CR to add the three full-year appropriations deals and the new language extending the continuing resolution funding the government until January 30. Meanwhile Senator Rand Paul (KY) and other senators who have raised issues with the deal could still throw a wrench into the works. The Senate is expected to recess once it clears the package which should help move things along. Even with success in the Senate, the House still needs to pass the agreed upon deal before the government can reopen, and House Democratic leadership is still working to ensure that any final deal includes health care subsidies. Nevertheless, a few moderate Democrats are likely to vote with Republicans which could get the package completed. Speaker Johnson said House members would return to Washington ‘immediately’ to take up the measure once it passes the Senate.

Senate HELP Committee Hearing/Registered Apprenticeships

On Wednesday, November 5, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing titled “Registered Apprenticeship: Scaling the Workforce for the Future.” The discussion focused on Registered Apprenticeships, a workforce training model with long-standing bipartisan support that has been prioritized by multiple administrations since the Obama era.

The Trump administration has set a goal of reaching 1 million active apprentices nationwide. As of late September, participation remains just under 700,000, reflecting a 3.9 percent increase since the start of the fiscal year. This growth lags behind the more than 6 percent annual increases seen in previous years and falls short of the pace needed to meet the administration’s target. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) notes that late-year data may show additional progress as states finalize reporting.

Observers say early, easier gains in program expansion have already been achieved, and further growth will require more comprehensive, long-term strategies. Economic uncertainty has slowed momentum, with employers and labor unions cautious about taking on new apprentices amid concerns about job availability. Some unions have also been affected by policy decisions that have limited opportunities in sectors such as renewable energy, while tariffs on construction materials have increased project costs.

The ongoing government shutdown has further delayed DOL efforts to streamline and expand Registered Apprenticeships, including consolidation of workforce development programs and confirmation of key leadership positions. Administration officials cite the shutdown as a major obstacle, while Democratic lawmakers point to funding and policy decisions as constraints on growth in areas such as infrastructure and clean energy.

Construction remains the largest sector for apprenticeships, with over a quarter-million participants, though growth has slowed. Expansion into fields such as education, cybersecurity, health care, and workforce preparation for artificial intelligence (AI) is ongoing. The Administration has indicated it may aim to exceed its initial 1 million target, potentially reaching 1.2 million apprentices.

Additional policy changes include a proposed rule to remove certain diversity requirements for apprenticeship sponsors, citing burdens on program operators. Current data shows nearly 80 percent of apprentices are male and more than half identify as white. Despite modest topline growth in 2025, final figures may rise once all state data and late-year activity are included. Supporters continue to call for a detailed roadmap to reach expansion targets, noting that broader economic stability will be critical for sustained progress.

Both parties continue to express support for strengthening Registered Apprenticeships as a pathway to higher-paying careers outside traditional higher education, despite differing views on the factors affecting growth.

Click here to watch a video of the hearing.

Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics

The release of federal jobs data has been delayed for a second consecutive month as the government shutdown continues, marking the longest such interruption to date. While September’s employment data is nearly complete and could be released once the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reopens, all survey and data collection work has been suspended since October 1. This pause affects the agency’s ability to compile October’s report and other key economic indicators.

The shutdown has halted most BLS operations, except for limited work to finalize inflation data needed for Social Security’s 2026 cost-of-living adjustment. Past shutdowns, such as in 2013, caused lingering data delays, and the current one — already more than twice as long — is expected to create significant disruptions even after funding is restored. Certain data, such as employer payroll submissions, can be processed once staff return, but labor-intensive reports like the Consumer Price Index and household employment survey will take longer to complete.

Private-sector estimates from ADP suggest 42,000 jobs were added in October, but those figures exclude public-sector employment and do not capture the effects of recent federal workforce reductions. Until Congress resolves the funding impasse, the government remains unable to provide official employment data or economic updates.

AI-Related Jobs Impacts Clarity Act

On Wednesday, November 5, Senators Josh Hawley (MO) and Mark Warner (VA) introduced the AI-Related Jobs Impacts Clarity Act, which would require major companies and federal agencies to report AI-related job loss to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) each quarter. The legislation would cover both AI-related layoffs and job displacement. DOL would compile the data and release it to both Congress and the public.

Click here to read the full press release on the bill.

Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025

On Friday, November 7, Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI) introduced the Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025, that would allow federal funding to continue flowing to local Head Start programs during a government shutdown until full appropriations are enacted. The bill, co-sponsored by more than two dozen Senate Democrats, would apply retroactively to September 30. The proposal comes as the longest government shutdown in U.S. history leaves more than 65,000 children in Head Start programs without federal support. Funding lapses have already forced some centers to close, disrupting services for thousands of families. The bill aims to ensure that early learning programs can continue operating regardless of shutdown-related funding delays. 

Click here to read the full press release on the bill.