ADVOCACY & POLICY UPDATE - October 20, 2025

Ongoing Shutdown Now Third Longest in U.S. History

Appropriations

The federal government shutdown is now entering its fourth week and tensions continue to mount in Congress over the Administration’s layoffs and stalled funding negotiations. 

On Friday, October 17, House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA) sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) asking it to investigate and issue a legal opinion on the Trump administration’s shutdown-related layoffs at the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. Scott argued that the cuts would severely undermine, or even eliminate, the agencies’ ability to carry out key responsibilities under laws overseen by the House Education and the Workforce Committee. In his letter, he pointed specifically to Department of Education offices that manage programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Higher Education Act, and Title IX. Scott warned that the administration’s actions threaten Congress’s constitutional authority over federal spending and jeopardize the operation of multiple congressionally mandated programs. He asked the GAO to determine whether the layoffs and related shutdown actions violate appropriations law or the separation of powers.

Meanwhile, this week, Senate Republicans are preparing to vote on legislation that would provide pay to certain federal employees deemed “excepted,” including active-duty military personnel who are required to work during the shutdown. Senator Ron Johnson (WI) is leading the proposal, which is backed by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (SD). This represents a shift in approach for Republican leaders, who had previously argued that reopening the government was the only viable path to ensure workers were paid.

Thune is also working to advance debate on key funding measures. The Senate is expected to take up the Defense appropriations bill, along with procedural steps to begin formal conference negotiations with the House on a three-bill package covering Military Construction–VA, Agriculture–FDA, and the Legislative Branch. Republican leaders hope progress on these funding bills could help break the broader budget impasse that has paralyzed federal operations and triggered widespread disruptions across multiple agencies.

On Monday, October 20, White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett predicted that the shutdown is “likely to end sometime this week” but he indicated if that doesn’t happen President Trump may impose “stronger measures” to force cooperation from Democrats. 

Click here to access Congressman Bobby Scott’s letter to the GAO.

H-1B Visas

Congressional Republicans are optimistic that the Trump Administration’s tougher stance on high-skill visas could help revive long-stalled efforts to overhaul the H-1B program. Lawmakers view the recent crackdown as a potential catalyst to advance legislation that has repeatedly failed amid partisan divisions and competing policy priorities. On Monday, September 29, several lawmakers reintroduced the bipartisan H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act aimed at tightening program rules and giving preference to applicants with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Supporters believe that heightened scrutiny of the current system underscores the need for structural reform to ensure the visas serve their intended purpose of filling critical skill gaps rather than displacing U.S. workers.

Despite this renewed momentum, prospects for legislation to pass remain uncertain. Previous reform attempts have failed due to divisions between immigration hardliners, who favor more restrictive policies, and business-oriented lawmakers from both parties, who support preserving access to foreign talent. Policy analysts note that, given the history of gridlock on immigration issues, the chances of passing comprehensive H-1B reform remain slim even with new political pressure from the administration.

Click here to read a press release on the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act.