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Government shutdown updates: Leavitt says Trump exploring cutting aid to Portland

"We will not fund states that allow anarchy," she told reporters.

Last Updated: October 4, 2025, 8:50 AM EDT

The federal government remains closed amid a bitter impasse on Capitol Hill over competing congressional spending bills.

President Donald Trump and Republicans have cast blame for the shutdown on Democrats' health care demands, while Democrats insist Republicans need to negotiate.

The Trump administration has threatened mass layoffs of some federal workers during the shutdown.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Sep 29, 2025, 2:18 PM EDT

White House releases Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza

Before President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a press conference following their bilateral meeting, the White House released Trump's "Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict."

Some of the 20 points included in the plan state that Gaza "will be a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors" and that Gaza will be "redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough."

The plan also states that if both sides agree to this proposal, "the war will immediately end."

President Donald Trump waits to greet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington.
Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Shutterstock

Within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, "all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned," the plan states."

Sep 29, 2025, 11:33 AM EDT

Trump welcomes Netanyahu to White House

President Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on Monday, where the two will discuss the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu give thumbs-up at the White House in Washington, September 29, 2025.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

While standing next to Netanyahu, Trump told reporters he is "very confident" there will soon be peace in Gaza.

The two leaders shook hands and waved to cameras before walking into the White House.

Sep 29, 2025, 11:17 AM EDT

Jeffries says Trump congressional leadership meeting will be 'good faith negotiation'

Before President Donald Trump meets with bipartisan congressional leadership on Monday to avert a possible government shutdown, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats are "determined to turn things around" and that their position "will continue to be clear."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks to reporters during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol Building, September 29, 2025 in Washington.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

He told reporters Democrats are heading into the meeting to have a "good faith negotiation" about "landing the plane that avoids a government shutdown, but does not continue the Republican assault on the health care of the American people."

One of the main points of contention between Republicans and Democrats is the impending expiration of some of the Affordable Care Act's tax credits, which Democrats are fighting to extend.

Jeffries said he will see whether Trump is "interested in protecting the health care of the American people."

"Enough with the games that Republicans have been playing. No one can trust their word on health care," Jeffries said.

Sep 29, 2025, 10:37 AM EDT

Trump 'expects both sides to agree' to Gaza peace deal, Leavitt says

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said they are "very close" to all sides agreeing to a comprehensive plan to end the war in Gaza. The comments come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit the White House on Monday, during which he and President Donald Trump are expected to discuss the proposed deal.

"As you know, the president has been working tirelessly on this effort to bring this war in Gaza and to bring this conflict in the Middle East to an end. He wants to see all of the hostages released," Leavitt told reporters on Monday.

Donald Trump exits Air Force One on September 26, 2025 in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Leavitt said that U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff "sent a very detailed 21-point plan to both sides" and that Trump "expects both sides to agree."

"The president knows and believes that this is as good of a plan as these sides are going to see, and that's why it's 21 points," Leavitt said.

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

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