An excerpt from ABC’s Beltway Blueprint let’s contractors know where they stand amidst the ongoing government shutdown.

Senate Republicans are continuing their strategy of bringing the House passed Continuing Resolution for a cloture vote daily in the Chamber, daring Democrats to vote against it and continue the government shutdown. The GOP-backed funding measure fell short in a 54-45 vote, six votes shy of the 60 needed to clear the Senate filibuster. Senate Dems are standing firm on their push for an extension of Obamacare premium subsidies and a reversal of major Medicaid cuts from the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, a stance Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., have indicated they would be willing to negotiate if Democrats voted to reopen the government.

Speaker Johnson made it clear the House will not reconvene to vote on alternative measures, including a standalone bill to fund military pay. “The House is done. The ball is now in the Senate’s court,” Johnson said, pressuring Senate Democrats to back the House-passed bill. Democrats, however, argue that they can’t trust that GOP leaders would take healthcare negotiations seriously, and believe their holdout is the only way to ensure Republicans prioritize these policies.

On Oct. 3, ABC sent out a release, urging the U.S. Senate to take immediate action to end the government shutdown by passing the clean continuing resolution—the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026.

ABC will provide guidance for ABC contractor members in Newsline as we receive it. Currently, limited information on shutdown/contingency plans is available on federal agency websites. We will continue to monitor these websites.

Below are links to contingency plans for federal agencies that contractors may work with:

Wiley Law has posted an informative article, Preparing for a Government Shutdown, which we encourage ABC contractors to review.

In addition, ABC’s general counsel, Littler, has posted articles on the shutdown: Possible 2025 Government Shutdown and Impact on Immigration-Related Agencies and What a Government Shutdown Means for Employers: Many Agencies Will Sharply Curtail Operations, Delaying New and Pending Cases | Littler and The Impact of a Federal Government Shutdown on OSHA.

Further, because of the shutdown, no monthly construction economic data will be collected, and no reports will be issued until sometime after the government reopens. Because ABC is not receiving any of the data that the government releases on construction spending, jobs openings, employment, state unemployment or materials prices, these ABC releases are all on pause.

Additional Resources:

• The Shutdown Is Already Squeezing These Businesses, Oct. 8, The Wall Street Journal
• Here’s a look at federal agencies’ shutdown contingency plans, updated on Oct. 1, Federal News Network
• Government shutdown threatens to stall federal construction projects, Sept. 30, Construction Dive
• Government shutdown draws closer as congressional leaders head to the White House, Sept. 29, Federal News Network
• Days away from a government shutdown, agencies’ contingency plans still unclear, Sept. 24, Federal News Network
• White House budget office tells agencies to draft mass firing plans ahead of potential shutdown, Sept. 24, Federal News Network

ABC is continuing to monitor the shutdown and will provide updates in Newsline. Members are encouraged to reach out to ABC’s government affairs team with any questions or concerns.

SEE ALSO: ABC URGES SENATE TO PASS A CLEAN CR TO END SHUTDOWN