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.
Layoffs are 'imminent' due to shutdown, Leavitt says
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that federal layoffs are "imminent" due to the government shutdown.
"These are unfortunate consequences to a government shutdown," Leavitt said on Wednesday.
Leavitt could not state a specific percentage of layoffs that will occur. She also did not state a specific day when the layoffs would happen, but simply said it would occur "soon."
U.S. Capitol building on the first day of a government shutdown, at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, October 1, 2025.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Oct 01, 2025, 1:57 PM EDT
Leavitt rejects Pope's comments over immigration
Pope Leo responded to a question on Wednesday regarding the controversy over his plans to honor U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, who supports legalized abortion, with a lifetime achievement award.
The Pope said that the Democratic senator's record should be considered in its totality and that Americans should search together for the truth on ethical issues.
"Someone who says I'm against abortion but is in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life," the pope said. "Someone who says I'm against abortion but I'm in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don't know if that's pro-life…So they are very complex issues and I don't know if anyone has all the truth on them."
Vice President JD Vance listens as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks to reporters during a press briefing in Washington, October 1, 2025.
Alex Brandon/AP
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about the pope's comments concerning immigration.
"I would reject there is inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants in the United States under this administration," she said before pivoting to immigration policy failures of the last administration.
Oct 01, 2025, 1:49 PM EDT
Vance says he is talking to a 'number' of Democratic, GOP colleagues to stop shutdown
Vice President JD Vance said that he is speaking to a "number" of Democratic and Republican colleagues to help end the government shutdown.
Vice President JD Vance speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Oct. 1, 2025, in Washington.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
He added that if House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries "helps" them reopen the government, "the sombrero memes will stop."
Vance referred to a deepfake video generated by artificial intelligence, shared by Trump on Monday night, that disparaged Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Oct 01, 2025, 1:49 PM EDT
Federal agencies won't target Democrats during cuts, Vance says
A reporter asked Vance about Trump's comments that the federal government would be laying off many workers and implying those affected workers would be Democrats.
Vice President JD Vance speaks during a press briefing in Washington, October 1, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
"We're not targeting federal agencies based on politics," the vice president said. "We're not targeting federal agencies based on politics. We're targeting the people's government so that it as much if possible of the essential services get to continue to function."
