Senate bid to end shutdown fails; Trump freezes Chicago aid

The US Senate failed again to advance competing plans to reopen the government, extending a partial shutdown at least into next week. The vote—54–44 for the Republican measure, short of the 60-vote threshold—came as the White House froze $2.1 billion earmarked for Chicago transit projects, part of a broader effort that has put at least $28 billion for Democratic-leaning jurisdictions on hold. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker condemned the Chicago freeze as political coercion. The administration signalled more potential funding holds, including for Portland, while also weighing further federal workforce cuts after ordering 300,000 reductions this year, according to a White House source. With both the Republican and Democratic funding proposals failing, Congress adjourned with no immediate path forward. The stalemate has paused roughly $1.7 trillion in agency operations, disrupted data releases such as the monthly jobs report, and left about two million federal workers without pay—though essential staff must continue to report. Prolonged disruption could snarl air travel, delay court operations and strain social services, officials and analysts warned.