White House orders departments, federal agencies to execute plans for orderly government shutdown

The White House on Tuesday night ordered departments to execute their plans for an orderly government shutdown, after the Senate failed to pass a continuing resolution that extended the deadline until late November.

The continuing resolution failed in a 55-45 split, as it needed 60 votes to pass.

White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought blamed Democrats for the looming shutdown, after only three Democrats and Independents voted with all but one Republican on the resolution. 

“It is unclear how long Democrats will maintain their untenable posture, making the duration of the shutdown difficult to predict,” Vought wrote in the memo. “Regardless, employees should report to work for their next regularly scheduled tour of duty to undertake orderly shutdown activities. We will issue another memorandum indicating the government functions should resume once the President has signed a bill providing for appropriations.” 

It is not clear how long the government shutdown will last, but the longest on record occurred during President Donald Trump's first term, when the government closed for 35 days between 2018 and 2019. 

The shutdown will take place at midnight.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.