AI crypto coins are on the rise again, with the sector’s total market cap increasing by more than 33% in just the last two weeks.
It’s worth noting that the sector’s combined market cap reached a lifetime high of $70.42B in January, following which came a sharp slump. This was the absolute worst the sector had seen, with its market cap plummeting to around $21B on April 9.
However, two weeks later, the market’s no more gloomy. Bitcoin has picked up pace, and so has the crypto AI niche. Its market cap has jumped back to $28.8B at the time of writing.
In this article, we’ll not only dissect the latest surge in the AI crypto market but also point you towards the best altcoins you can buy now to benefit from this rally.
It’s not just that the prices of AI tokens have increased. According to a new CoinGecko report, there’s increasing investor interest in the category as well.
Out of the top 20 crypto narratives of the first quarter of 2025, 5 were AI-related, accounting for 35.7% of total investor interest. Plus, more than 62.8% of investors’ interest accounted for AI and meme coins combined.

Another study done by CoinGecko shows that 48.7% of people think that AI will be more profitable than humans in crypto trading, while 46.6% are willing to trust AI for crypto investing.
A few more mind-boggling numbers we found in CoinGecko’s research paper:
This shows a change in perspective among both long- and short-term crypto participants. They’re now more confident and comfortable integrating AI into their crypto investment research process.
Needless to say, this also means that now’s the best time to invest in AI tokens. As is evident from the tokens mentioned above, the potential for profit is simply insane.
Herein lies an unmissable opportunity for utility-based AI coins like the ones mentioned in this guide.
MIND of Pepe ($MIND) is the best crypto to buy now if you’re after a utility-based AI agent coin with the potential to do wonders for your crypto portfolio.
$MIND is an autonomous AI agent that has been designed to follow social sentiment trends and then use that to identify the top trending cryptos before they become viral.

The AI agent will do so by interacting with the crypto community on online platforms, such as dApps and X.
There, it will register the countless biases regarding the crypto market and then pour all that data into its hive-mind intelligence system.
Luckily for you, the token is currently priced at just $0.0037415. If this is your first crypto presale purchase, here’s a guide on how to buy $MIND.
SUBBD Token ($SUBBD) is the newest crypto-AI partnership that promises to revolutionize the $85B subscription-based digital content industry.
Online creators today struggle with high platform fees and the pain of having to burn the midnight oil just to have a regular flow of content. Enter SUBBD.
It’s a one-of-a-kind platform that offers creators a host of AI tools, such as video, voice, and image generators, as well as a profile creation feature, which they can use to upscale and automate content creation, management, and distribution.

In addition to lower fees, creators will also be able to choose between multiple modes of payment, such as pay-per-view (PPV), subscriptions, NFTs, tipping, and more.
What’s more, you can also stake your $SUBBD tokens. Staking benefits include access to exclusive content from SUBBD’s top talent, creator livestreams, and daily BTS drops, as well as a fixed APY of 20%.
To put it in a nutshell, SUBBD Token is powering the next generation of digital content creation using AI.
Interested? You’ll be delighted to hear that the project is in the early stages of its presale ($265K+ raised), which is why you can buy $SUBBD for just $0.05525.
With a total market capitalization of over $250M, ai16z is one of the most prominent AI agent coins on the market right now. That’s because it’s the first venture capital firm to be run by AI agents.
Designed to disrupt traditional investment models, ai16z uses the mystical powers of AI agents and collective intelligence to gather and study market sentiments and execute trades both on-chain and off-chain.

Launched in October 2024, ai16z boasts over 1,500% in lifetime returns. However, it has made it to our list on the back of some solid recent performance.
$AI16Z is up over 70% in just the last seven days, and it’s currently trading at $0.2328. As far as AI coins are concerned, this is one of the best cheap cryptos to buy now.
In addition to a mouthwatering return on your investment, holding $AI16Z also gives you governance rights. Simply put, you’ll be able to vote on important decisions, including the project’s future and trading strategies.
Although AI crypto coins are admittedly all the rage right now, it’s not advisable to put all your eggs in one basket, especially in crypto, where there’s high volatility and unpredictability.
Also, just because the segment is firing, there’s no guaranteeing the performance of specific tokens. Kindly do your own research before investing. Remember, our articles are not financial advice.
* References, analysis, and trading strategies are provided by the third-party provider, Trading Central, and the point of view is based on the independent assessment and judgement of the analyst, without considering the investment objectives and financial situation of the investors.
Risk Warning: Trading may result in the loss of your entire capital. Trading OTC derivatives may not be suitable for everyone. Please consider our legal disclosure documents before using our services and ensure that you understand the risks involved. You do not own or have any interest in the underlying assets.
Mitrade does not issue advice, recommendations or opinion in relation to acquiring, holding or disposing of our products. All of our products are over-the-counter derivatives over global underlying assets. Mitrade provides execution only service, acting as principal at all times.
Mitrade is a brand jointly used by multiple companies and it operates through the following companies:
Mitrade International Ltd is the issuer of the financial products that are described or available on this website. Mitrade International Ltd is authorised and regulated by Mauritius Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the licence number is GB20025791. The registered office address is 6 St Denis Street, 1st Floor River Court, Port Louis 11328, Mauritius.
Mitrade Global Pty Ltd with ABN 90 149 011 361 holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL 398528).
Mitrade Holding is authorised and regulated by Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) and the SIB licence number is 1612446.
The information on this site is not intended for residents of the United States, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom or use by any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation. Please note that English is the main language used in our services and is also the legally effective language in all of our terms and agreements. Versions in other languages are only for reference. In the event of any discrepancy between the English version and the other versions, the English version shall prevail.
Secured by SSL. © Mitrade Copyright, All rights reserved.

source

Latest
Entertainment
India
Sports
Business
World
Lifestyle
Tech
Zoom Watchlist
Viral
Cryptonow
Kerala Lottery Result Dhanalekshmi DL 20 Results Live: The first winner of today’s lottery game- Dhanalekshmi DL 20 lottery- will take home Rs 1 crore as a cash prize. The Kerala lottery is one of the most trusted games in the country.
Updated Oct 1, 2025, 13:16 IST
news
viral
Related News
‘Ghafoor Ki Beti’: Actor Who Played Ghafoor’s Daughter In Ba***ds Of Bollywood Reveals Identity! Viral
‘Zimmedar’ Cab Driver’s Video Goes Viral With 1M Views For All Right Reasons; ‘Yeh Hota Hai Tareeka…’
Woman Bills Her Husband Around Rs 53,000 A Month For Forgetting Household Tasks; Internet Reacts
Senate Fails, Internet Wins: US Government Shutdown Sparks Epic Meme Storm Online
‘Kanjak Heist’: Viral Video Perfectly Captures ‘Kanya Pujan’ Chaos Among Desi Families | WATCH
Follow us :
© 2025 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited

source

The California Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Sept. 30, 2025, results for each game:
04-08-27-37-63, Mega Ball: 14
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 0-0-4
Evening: 3-2-8
Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
1st:5 California Classic-2nd:6 Whirl Win-3rd:4 Big Ben, Race Time: 1:48.61
Check Daily Derby payouts and previous drawings here.
06-20-29-31-39
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
9-9-3-8
Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Desert Sun producer. You can send feedback using this form.

source

The US federal government has shut down after Republican and Democratic lawmakers failed to resolve a budget standoff.
The impasse affects the of funding government operations through October and beyond and is poised to cause widespread disruption for Americans in areas ranging from air travel to zoo visits.
The political gridlock is also expected to put 40% of the federal workforce – about 800,000 people – on unpaid leave.
Here's how its impact will be felt across the country.
A federal shutdown will hit flyers in a variety of ways, potentially leading to long security queues, and delays caused by unpaid air traffic controllers choosing to stay home rather than work for free.
Air traffic control and Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) workers are considered "essential", so they will continue to go to work in the event of a shutdown.
But they will not be paid until the shutdown ends. During the last shutdown in 2018-2019, these workers increasingly began to call in sick, leading to airport delays.
Impact will also be felt by Americans planning to travel abroad, with US passport agencies warning that it could take longer than usual to process travel documents.
Federal employees are expected to be hardest hit, as they will not receive any pay cheque while the shutdown continues.
Some workers may choose to take second jobs, as they have during previous shutdowns. Employees that are not deemed to be essential will be forced to stay home. In the past, these workers have then been paid retrospectively.
Several agencies, like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health are likely to furlough many workers, affecting ongoing research and experiments already in progress.
President Donald Trump, who has slashed government spending and cut federal jobs since taking office, warned repeatedly that a shutdown could accelerate further layoffs and allow him to cut services and programmes he says are important to Democrats.
Contractors, who work for federal agencies but are not directly employed by the government, will miss out on work, too. These workers historically have not received any backpay, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
Federal lands, including National Parks and National Forests, have been closed off to visitors during past shutdowns, since the rangers and other employees were asked to stay at home.
During the last shutdown, the Trump administration made the decision to leave parks open, with few to no federal workers there to staff them.
According to park advocates, the decision led to vandalism in parks, as visitors drove through protected landscapes, looted historical sites, and rampantly littered.
A group of more than 40 former park superintendents have appealed to the White House to completely close parks down in the event of a shutdown.
"We don't leave museums open without curators, or airports without air traffic controllers – and we should not leave our national parks open without National Park Service workers," said Emily Thompson of the Coalition to Protect America's National Parks.
Washington DC's famous Smithsonian Institution museums will stay open until at least next Monday, 6 October.
On the Smithsonian website, the organisation said it had money available from years prior to help it stay open.
Animals at the National Zoo "will continue to be fed and cared for," according to the Smithsonian, which runs the zoo.
But the popular webcams will be shut off, as they have been deemed non-essential by zoo staff.
The suspension of the broadcasts will disrupt viewers peek at the zoo's pandas, lions, elephants and naked mole rats.
Medicare and Medicaid, social health programmes for the elderly and poor, will continue, but staffing shortages could lead to some interruptions for certain services.
Emergency disaster relief is also expected to be largely unaffected, however other work done by disaster agencies will be affected.
The National Flood Insurance Program will be closed, delaying some mortgages on properties that require policies from the government-run programme.
But if the shutdown drags out, it is possible that the Federal Emergency Management Administration (Fema) could run out of money for its Disaster Relief Fund.
Food assistance programmes will also be impacted, with the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) expected to rapidly run out of funds.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps) is expected to continue for longer, but is also at risk of running out of funding.
Are you a federal worker in the US? Get in touch at this link here
Government funding has been cut off after Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on a spending bill.
Pfizer says prices for some drugs will be cut by up to 85% on the direct-to-consumer TrumpRx site.
The A-List couple share two children and have been married since 2006.
Hundreds of high ranking military leaders were summoned for a rare meeting with the Department of Defense secretary.
No serious injuries were reported when parts of the ride came loose at a school event in Los Angeles.
Copyright 2025 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
 

source

David Schwartz, a key architect of the XRP ledger (XRPL) and Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for seven years, has just announced that he will step down from his role at the end of 2025, after more than a decade with the company.
While stepping back to focus on family and personal pursuits, Schwartz will remain connected by joining Ripple’s board of directors and staying active in the XRP community.
Some in the community were shocked by the announcement, calling it a defining moment that many will remember for a long time.
I’m sure, many of us have had one of those moments in life, you never forget, when and where you hear big news. One of those moments just happened for the XRP community, and the greater ecosystem system.
Others thought the news would have adverse effects on Ripple and XRP in general.
I genuinely do not think they realize how many XRP holders trust David over Ripple… This is one of the worst thing that could happen to XRP.
However, another Twitter user quickly pointed out that a seat on Ripple’s board is actually a bigger deal than just being CTO, and joked that Schwartz would now be in a position to fire CEO Brad Garlinghouse.
For those who are concerned David is stepping down, being a member of the board of directors is a bigger and higher-ranking position than a Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

He can basically have a say in firing Brad for example :)) . Just kidding, but that is technically true. pic.twitter.com/D7dZb0kJbZ
Related: XRP & DOGE ETFs Smash Debut Records Amid Ripple-led Tokenised Funds Roll-Out
Garlinghouse himself (maybe in an effort to appease his new boss?) called Schwartz the “smartest (and maybe the funniest)” person he knows and thanked him for all he has done at the company.
A true OG in crypto with the conviction and vision to see what others couldn’t — you are a legend. […] Wait…does this mean you’re my boss now!?!
The smartest (and maybe the funniest) person I know. A true OG in crypto with the conviction and vision to see what others couldn’t – you are a legend. Thank you David for everything you’ve done for the industry, for Ripple and for the XRP Ledger. We are all forever grateful…… https://t.co/tt4uX4JlkV
Schwartz – who has over 660k followers on the platform – isn’t just known as one of the most knowledgeable people in the industry, he’s also famous for his sense of humour. Here was his reaction to all the community buzz about his departure:
Hey everybody, save the kind words for when I die.
Schwartz said he is happy to get back into coding and working on use cases for XRP beyond Ripple’s.

I truly enjoy this part — getting my hands dirty, talking to builders, coding for the pure love of it — and I’m really excited to get back to that. More to come on this very soon, I’m sure.
Some in the crypto community have been speculating whether Schwartz had something to do with the creation of Bitcoin, or might even be the famed Satoshi Nakamoto.
Following a documentary about Bitcoin’s enigmatic creator, a community member asked whether the then-CTO had worked with or knew the people mentioned in the show. To which Schwartz simply replied:

Not really, I didn’t get involved until mid-2011.
Related: Documentary Claims to Know Identity of Bitcoin Creator Satoshi Nakamoto, Igniting Debate
Aaron Feuerstein is a freelance writer based in Melbourne. His focus is on decentralised finance and the regulatory space surrounding blockchain. He holds a Master’s in Accounting. When he is not studying the latest legal case, he enjoys his time as a modest but eager hobby cook.
Crypto News Australia is brought to you by Swyftx and provides the most relevant Bitcoin, cryptocurrency & blockchain news.
Guides

Reviews
Disclaimer: By using this website, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Crypto News Australia is a news service that adheres to its Editorial Policy. Crypto News Australia are a subsidiary of Swyftx Pty Ltd, which operates a cryptocurrency exchange in Australia and New Zealand. Our website is purely informational and provides news about cryptocurrency & blockchain. The information on Crypto News Australia should not be taken as financial advice, investment advice or a personal recommendation. Buying and trading cryptocurrencies is a high-risk activity. Please do your own due diligence before making any investment decisions. We are not accountable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss incurred, alleged or otherwise, in connection to the use or reliance of any content you read on this or any affiliated website.
Copyright © 2025 Crypto News Australia

source

The Washington Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Sept. 30, 2025, results for each game:
04-08-27-37-63, Mega Ball: 14
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
12
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
6-2-5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
01-04-07-11
Check Match 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
01-03-05-16-38
Check Hit 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
03-04-05-09-10-17-39-40-41-44-45-46-56-59-64-69-74-76-78-80
Check Keno payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
All Washington Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Washington Lottery’s regional offices.
To claim by mail, complete a winner claim form and the information on the back of the ticket, making sure you have signed it, and mail it to:
Washington Lottery Headquarters
PO Box 43050
Olympia, WA 98504-3050
For in-person claims, visit a Washington Lottery regional office and bring a winning ticket, photo ID, Social Security card and a voided check (optional).
Olympia Headquarters
Everett Regional Office
Federal Way Office
Spokane Department of Imagination
Vancouver Office
Tri-Cities Regional Office
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Washington Lottery prize claim page.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Washington editor. You can send feedback using this form.

source

Worldcoin ($WLD), the native crypto of the Altman-backed ‘World Orb’ eye-scanning project, is now available in most parts of the US.
Tools for Humanity’s ‘World orb’ is an initiative by the OpenAI founder that offers people $WLD in exchange for scanning their eyes.
The project aims to develop $WLD as a blockchain-based global ID, which will help identify humans online.
Whenever someone scans their eye using a World Orb, the system stores that information on the blockchain to verify an individual’s online identity. It’ll also help distinguish between what’s real and what’s artificially generated.
Read on as we spill more information about this innovative initiative. We’ll also cover another revolutionary AI-crypto project (SUBBD Token) promising sizable gains.
What in the $WLD?
$WLD is the native token of the Worldcoin project used to reward people for participating, among other things.
People who scan their eyes with a World Orb will get 16 $WLD, while those who have already downloaded and registered on the World app will receive 150 $WLD as a ‘pioneer grant.’

The project plans to install more than 7,500 scanning orbs across the US by the end of this year. The team says its orbs have already verified 12 million humans from over 100 countries on its World Chain. In time for the US launch, the orb design has been revamped; it’s now more compact and looks like a smartphone instead of the earlier ‘ball-like’ form factor.
Tools for Humanity is also in talks with VISA about launching a debit card linked to the $WLD cryptocurrency.
Users can use the card to directly pay at merchant stores for automatic fiat currency conversions. Cardholders will also receive rewards for subscribing to AI services like ChatGPT.

Besides this, you can use the World Wallet app to send and receive $WLD and other cryptocurrencies through private chat.
What’s more, ID integration with Stripe, Match Group, and Razor will also soon be introduced on the app.

Without a doubt, Worldcoin is an excellent example of how Web3 technology can be integrated into real-world applications.
As the global cryptocurrency adoption increases with supportive government regulations, we’ll see more exciting applications.
One such is the SUBBD Token ($SUBBD), pegged as the next potential crypto to explode, thanks to its AI solutions for the $85B digital content industry.
What Is SUBBD Token ($SUBBD)?
‘The #1 AI agent creator platform’, SUBBD offers a never-before-seen mix of social media influencers, artificial intelligence, and cryptocurrency, revolutionizing how online content creators and their fans interact.
Currently, creators must put up with exorbitant fees and lackluster platforms that don’t help them improve or monetize their content offerings.
SUBBD, however, comes with tons of AI-powered tools, such as image, voice, video, and profile generators, to help creators upscale and automate their content production process.

Moreover, creators will also be able to set up various monetization routes, such as subscriptions, pay-per-view (PPV), NFT sales, and tipping.
$SUBBD Token Holders Get Significant Benefits
$SUBBD also has something for the fans. Using $SUBBD, the native currency of the SUBBD platform, fans can access their favorite creators’ exclusive work.
$SUBBD holders will also get exclusive discounts on content and subscriptions, as well as early access to beta features, new creator tools, launchpads, and more.

Holding $SUBBD tokens also gives holders governance rights. That means they all have a say in decisions, such as creator onboarding, themes, and communities.
Even $SUBBD’s staking rewards come with on-platform benefits. Stake your tokens to receive access to exclusive creator livestreams, daily BTS drops, in-house content from SUBBD’s top talents, and a fixed 20% APY from the staking pool.
SUBBD Token Is Currently in Presale
Considering $SUBBD’s unique positioning, it’s no wonder our SUBBD Token price prediction suggests it could reach $0.668 by the end of 2026 – a gain of over 1,200%.
Become an early investor to make the most of SUBBD’s market dominance. It’s currently in presale, so you can buy $SUBBD for just $0.055325 per token. It’s already raised some $335K, showing strong early interest.
For more information, check out $SUBBD’s whitepaper. And visit their X feed and Telegram channel for regular updates.
Finally, please remember that none of the above is financial advice. We urge you to do your own research before investing in crypto.
Select market data provided by ICE Data Services. Select reference data provided by FactSet. Copyright © 2025 FactSet Research Systems Inc.Copyright © 2025, American Bankers Association. CUSIP Database provided by FactSet Research Systems Inc. All rights reserved. SEC fillings and other documents provided by Quartr.© 2025 TradingView, Inc.

source

Bitcoin price today: stalls rally above $114k as US govt shutdown risks weigh  Investing.com
source

XRP traded at $2.86 with DAA Divergence at -345.9%, showing weak activity to support its price.
XRP needed stronger Network Growth, whale accumulation, and Social Dominance to build conviction for a credible breakout toward $50.
Ripple’s [XRP] path toward the ambitious $50 milestone remained uncertain, with the token needing stronger fundamentals and broader adoption to support such a rally. 
While its history includes sharp surges during favorable conditions, the present landscape revealed gaps that must be closed before another breakout can occur. 
However, when market structure, investor conviction, and community momentum aligned, XRP demonstrated the ability to move at scale. The challenge was whether key metrics could improve enough to lay the groundwork for this target.
XRP’s Network Growth fell to 1,151 new addresses on the 30th of September, down from the July 2025 peak of around 11,100. This collapse highlighted weak user inflows, as adoption momentum faded sharply since mid-year. 
Sustained expansion of network activity was critical. Higher valuations required new participants and greater utility on the ledger.
For a credible $50 case, address creation must approach July highs with steady transaction growth that signals broader adoption.
Source: Santiment
Large-holder activity in XRP remains uneven.
At press time, Wallets holding between 10M and 100M XRP increased their share to 12.15% of the total supply, while those holding 100M to 1 billion XRP remained stagnant at 14.05%.
Meanwhile, wallets in the 1M–10M XRP range held steady at 10.32%, signaling weak conviction among mid-sized holders. This imbalance has weakened price support, as whale accumulation typically provides liquidity and stability during bullish phases.
To build momentum toward the $50 mark, the largest holders must resume consistent inflows, reinforcing institutional confidence and laying a stronger foundation for long-term growth.
Source: Santiment
XRP’s Social Dominance was 3.54%, with Social Volume at 150, as of writing. This was far below July, when mentions topped 2,200 and dominance exceeded 11%.
This muted interest showed fading retail enthusiasm, which limited network effects that often drive altcoin rallies. 
A sustainable push toward $50 requires more than whale backing — it needs strong, organic community energy. 
Reigniting consistent retail engagement and maintaining Social Volume will be crucial, as renewed hype and participation can amplify market inflows and attract wider investor attention.
Source: Santiment
At the time of writing, XRP traded around $2.86, yet DAA Divergence was -345.9%. That negative reading signaled weak address activity to validate the price. By contrast, July’s positive divergence fueled momentum as address growth aligned with price expansion. 
To realistically aim for $50, XRP must reverse this trend, with active addresses climbing in tandem with price. 
Aligning valuation with network usage ensures gains are supported by fundamentals rather than short-lived speculative surges.
Source: Santiment
Conclusively, XRP can achieve the $50 target provided network adoption accelerates, whales resume steady accumulation, retail enthusiasm returns, and active usage aligns with price. 
The aforementioned figures highlighted the gaps, but if these areas improve together, they can create the foundation for a credible breakout and transform this ambitious milestone into a realistic possibility. 
Disclaimer:
AMBCrypto’s content is meant to be informational in nature and should not be interpreted as investment advice. Trading, buying or selling cryptocurrencies should be considered a high-risk investment and every reader is advised to do their own research before making any decisions.
© 2025 AMBCrypto

source

First shutdown in nearly seven years as Republicans accused of ‘risking America’s healthcare’ in spending bill
US government shutdown – live updates
The US government shut down on Wednesday, after congressional Democrats refused to support a Republican plan to extend funding for federal departments unless they won a series of concessions centered on healthcare.
The GOP, which controls the Senate and the House of Representatives, repudiated their demands, setting off a legislative scramble that lasted into the hours before funding lapsed at midnight, when the Senate failed to advance both parties’ bills to keep funding going.
The shutdown is the first since a 35-day closure that began in December 2018 and extended into the new year, during Trump’s first term. It comes as Democrats look to regain their footing with voters, who re-elected Trump last year and relegated them to the minority in both chambers of Congress.
“Republicans are plunging America into a shutdown, rejecting bipartisan talks, pushing a partisan bill and risking America’s healthcare,” top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said on Tuesday evening, as it became clear a shutdown was inevitable.
Last month, House Republicans passed a bill that would fund the government through 21 November, but it requires the support of some Democrats to clear the 60-vote threshold for advancement in the Senate. It failed to gain that support in votes held late on Tuesday, while Republicans also blocked a Democratic proposal to continue funding through October while also making an array of policy changes.
“Far-left interest groups and far-left Democrat members wanted to show down with the president, and so Senate Democrats have sacrificed the American people to Democrats’ partisan interests,” Senate majority leader John Thune said.
Senate Republicans have scheduled another round of votes on the two funding bills on Wednesday morning, with the stated goal of giving Democrats an opportunity to change their minds.
The White House has responded to the shutdown threat by announcing plans to fire federal workers en masse if funding lapses. “When you shut it down, you have to do layoffs, so we’d be laying off a lot of people,” Donald Trump said earlier on Tuesday, adding: “They’re going to be Democrats.”
Shortly after the failed votes, Russ Vought, director of the White House office of management and budget, released a letter blaming “Democrats’ insane policy demands” for a shutdown. “It is unclear how long Democrats will maintain their untenable posture, making the duration of the shutdown difficult to predict,” Vought wrote in the letter, which was addressed to the heads of federal offices and agencies.
Democrats have demanded an extension of premium tax credits for ACA plans, which expire at the end of the year. They also want to undo Republican cuts to Medicaid and public media outlets, while preventing Trump’s use of a “pocket rescission” to further gut foreign aid.
The total cost of those provisions is expected to hit $1tn, while about 10 million people are set to lose healthcare due to the Medicaid cuts, as well as to changes to the ACA. Without an extension of the tax credits for premiums, health insurance prices will rise for around 20 million people.
While Thune has said he would be willing to negotiate over extending the ACA credits, he insists new government funding be approved first.
Democratic leaders say they are not backing down, but signs have emerged of dissent within their ranks. Three members of the Democratic caucus voted for the Republican proposal on Tuesday evening – two more than when the bill was first considered earlier this month.
“The cracks in the Democrats are already showing,” Senate Republican whip John Barrasso said.
Democrats who broke with their party indicated they did so out of concern for what the Trump administration might do when the government shuts down. Federal law gives agencies and departments some leeway in determining which operations continue when funding lapses.
“I cannot support a costly shutdown that would hurt Nevada families and hand even more power to this reckless administration,” said Democratic senator Catherine Cortez Masto.
Angus King, a Maine independent who caucuses with the Democrats, called the vote “one of the most difficult” of his Senate career, but said: “The paradox is by shutting the government we’re actually giving Donald Trump more power, and that was why I voted yes.”
Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman, the sole Democrat to vote for the Republican funding bill when it was first considered a week and a half ago, supported it once again, saying: “My vote was for our country over my party. Together, we must find a better way forward.”
While the party that instigates a shutdown has historically failed to achieve their goals, polls have given mixed verdicts on how the public views the Democrats’ tactics.
A New York Times/Siena poll taken last week found that only 27% of respondents said the Democrats should shut down the government, while 65% thought they should not. Among Democrats, the split was 47% in favor of a shutdown and 43% against, while 59% of independents were opposed to a shutdown.
A Marist poll released on Tuesday found that 38% of voters would blame congressional Republicans for a shutdown, 27% would blame the Democrats and 31% would point a finger at both parties.
Republican senator Ted Cruz – an architect of a 2013 shutdown intended to defund the ACA – described Democrats’s shutdown threat as a “temper tantrum” that would go nowhere.
“They’re trying to show … that they hate Trump,” Cruz told reporters. “It will end inevitably in capitulation. At some point they’re going to turn the lights on again, but first they have to rage into the night.”

source