Capitol Police officers adjust security barriers around the East Plaza at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. With just days to go before federal money runs out with the end of the fiscal year on Tuesday, Sept. 30, Congress has failed to pass legislation to keep the government running after becoming deadlocked during votes late last week. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington is bracing for what could be a prolonged federal shutdown after lawmakers deadlocked and missed the deadline for funding the government.
Republicans supported a short-term measure to fund the government generally at current levels through Nov. 21, but Democrats blocked it, insisting the measure address their concerns on health care. They want to reverse the Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump’s mega-bill passed this summer and extend tax credits that make health insurance premiums more affordable for millions of people who purchase through the marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation office in Virginia Square (courtesy George Brazier)
Shutdown Politics in Va. — “Even as the president and his party tried to blame Democrats for what could happen next, some Republicans saw it as almost inevitable that Virginia voters would punish them somewhat. ‘I do think that blame will be laid at Republicans’ feet, no matter what,’ said Matthew Hurtt, the chairman of the Arlington County GOP. ‘It feels like the layoffs are exclusively going to Democrats, who were going to be voting for Spanberger anyway.'” [Semafor, Arlington Democrats/X, Matthew Hurtt/X]
Bill to Help Feds During Shutdown — “‘Americans join the federal workforce because they want to help provide essential services to communities across the country,’ said Senator Kaine. ‘They shouldn’t be punished for that, especially in the event of a government shutdown. That’s why I’m glad to join with my colleagues in introducing this legislation to help make it easier for these patriotic workers to pay their bills.'” [Press Release]
Credit Unions Offer Support — “Several financial institutions, including Navy Federal Credit Union and PenFed Credit Union, are offering paycheck assistance, interest-free personal loans and lines of credit to federal workers who need them in the event of a shutdown. Some are also waiving penalties for early withdrawals from retirement accounts or allowing customers affected by a shutdown to skip a loan payment or two.” [WBJ]
New Poet Laureate — “Jennifer Kronovet has been selected as the fourth Poet Laureate of Arlington County. During her two-year appointment, the award-winning poet will serve as an advocate for poetry and the literary arts and will work to raise Arlingtonians’ consciousness and appreciation of poetry in its written and spoken forms.” [Arlington County]
Pre-Planning for Bridge Project — “Members of the Fireboat are pre-planning the construction site for the new Long railway bridge across the Potomac. This project is scheduled to go through year 2030 and has the potential for both water and technical rescues.” [DCFEMS/X]
Man Killed By Train Was Chased — “The man who was struck by a train at the Potomac Yard Metro station on Sept. 22 succumbed to his injuries that evening at George Washington University Hospital, according to the Alexandria Police Department. Metro Transit Police said at the time that the man trespassed onto the tracks, and an investigation has found that he was being chased by two alleged fare evaders, a 17-year-old female and an 18-year-old female, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.” [ALXnow]
It’s October — Expect partly sunny skies to transition to sunnier conditions, with temperatures reaching around 72°F and a 10 mph north wind. Wednesday night will be clear and cool with a low near 51°F, accompanied by a 6 mph northeast breeze. [NWS]
Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose prices have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!
Please note: The properties featured here may be listed with other brokerages– but that doesn’t limit your options. Arlington Realty, Inc. is ready to represent you, arrange showings, analyze value, and negotiate the best possible terms on your behalf. We understand the neighborhoods, pricing trends and market timing — and we usethat knowledge to your advantage.
As of August 31, there are 175 detached homes, 60 townhouses and 249 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 42 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:
Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc.
The sunset is seen from the Capitol before Republican and Democratic news conferences about the government shutdown, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, on Capitol Hill, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
We love fall at Art House 7 and can’t wait for you to explore all our offerings. Painting, drawing, ceramics, and sewing/crocheting are our perennials, along with less traditional mediums. Kawaii Style Drawing and Digital Art are among our new classes for kids. We offer an excellent 6-week program for high schoolers preparing their college portfolios. Want something shorter? We have 3-week classes, including linocut notecards. Love ceramics? We have a dedicated studio that comfortably accommodates wheel and hand-building classes.
Expect partly sunny skies to transition to sunnier conditions, with temperatures reaching around 72°F and a 10 mph north wind. Wednesday night will be clear and cool with a low near 51°F, accompanied by a 6 mph northeast breeze. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” – Jimmy Carter
Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.
Join us at Westover Taco for the official Fund Her Game Charity Launch, bringing together athletes, fans, business leaders, and community supporters who want to strengthen girls’ and women’s sports across the DMV.
Fund Her Game was created to invest in the teams, leagues, programs, and organizations that help women and girls play, compete, develop, and lead, from recreational sports through professional competition.
Organized Women Voters of Arlington 1954 (via Charlie Clark Center for Local History)
This reporting was supported by the ARLnow Press Club. Get upgraded email newsletters while supporting in-depth local journalism.
The League of Women Voters of Arlington was established by a coalition of 17 founding members in January 1944, and for more than 80 years has been a force in the county’s civic life.
A bike boulevard sign at 12th Street S. and S. Quincy Street (via Arlington County)
Concept designs for improved bike routes running parallel to Columbia Pike are now available, aiming to make certain side streets safer and more inviting to bicyclists.
Arlington County is currently seeking feedback — due this Sunday, Oct. 5 — on the possible upgrades to the Columbia Pike Bike Boulevards. The proposal includes a variety of signage, intersection changes and streetscape adjustments on either side of the Pike.
Arlington County police cars (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
The Arlington County Police Department is searching for two suspects accused of carjacking a man in Crystal City early this morning (Tuesday).
Police said the masked suspects were armed with knives when they approached the victim on the 2300 block of S. Eads Street around 2:30 a.m. and demanded the keys to his vehicle.
A partisan standoff over health care and spending is threatening to trigger the first U.S. government shutdown in almost seven years, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Employee furloughs and potential layoffs would halt some government activities. Other functions — like NASA’s space missions, Trump’s immigration crackdown and certain public health work at FDA and the USDA — would continue.
2025 construction work at the Grace Hopper Center, located next to the current Arlington Career Center (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
Even given the possibility of declining enrollment at Arlington Public Schools over the next decade, school leaders say they’re disinclined to dispose of any facilities.
Jeffrey Chambers, the school system’s director of design and construction, said the school system learned from a decision to do that several decades ago.
Pentagon MMA has brought a special honor home to Arlington from the birthplace of Muay Thai.
The Arlington Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu Academy is now officially a certified and registered Muay Thai Gym Partner through the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, making Pentagon MMA the only Muay Thai academy on the East Coast to have earned this distinction.
