Politics

How the shutdown ends

Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter {beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy The Big Story Pressure points: 5 ways the shutdown could end Something will have to give if lawmakers hope to reopen the government in any timely fashion, and that movement will likely be the result of external forces exerting...

Oct 8, 2025 - 20:00

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Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter

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Business & Economy

The Big Story

Pressure points: 5 ways the shutdown could end

Something will have to give if lawmakers hope to reopen the government in any timely fashion, and that movement will likely be the result of external forces exerting pressure on one party — or both of them — to break the deadlock.

That’s been the case in the protracted shutdowns of years past, when a number of outside factors — from economic sirens to public frustration — have combined to compel lawmakers to cede ground and carry their policy battles to another day.

Public sentiment: Among the most recycled quotes on Capitol Hill is attributed to Abraham Lincoln: “Public sentiment is everything.” The trouble, in these early stages of the shutdown fight, is that the verdict is still out on where that sentiment will land.

Air traffic controller issues: It was nearly seven years ago that the 35-day shutdown ended after travel chaos and short-staffing of air traffic controllers brought immense strain on the aviation sector — and trouble is already starting up again.

An uptick of air traffic controllers calling in sick Monday forced numerous flight delays and cancellations, prompting concerns that a reprisal of what happened in 2019 could be starting up again.

“We should all be worried,” said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), who was part of informal rank-and-file talks last week about a possible resolution.

The Hill's Mike Lillis and Al Weaver have more here.

Welcome to The Hill’s Business & Economy newsletter, I'm Sylvan Lane — covering the intersection of Wall Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

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Key business and economic news with implications this week and beyond:

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