Supreme Court Faces Funding Crisis Amid Shutdown

The highest court in the land is about to hit a financial brick wall thanks to Washington’s latest partisan squabble.

As the government shutdown that kicked off on October 1, 2025, drags on, the Supreme Court is set to run dry of funds on October 18, 2025, with federal courts nationwide following close behind by October 20, 202, as The Hill reports.

This mess started when Democrats and Republicans couldn’t hammer out a deal to keep the government running, with Dems stonewalling a House GOP funding bill over disagreements on extending Affordable Care Act health subsidies expiring at year’s end. It’s the usual D.C. gridlock, where ideology trumps practicality, leaving the judiciary caught in the crossfire. And now, with no end to the shutdown in sight, the courts are paying the price.

Supreme Court Building Shuts Doors to the Public

“The nation’s top court ‘expects to run out of funding on October 18,’” said Patricia McCabe, Supreme Court public information officer. Well, isn’t that just peachy—while politicians bicker, the symbol of justice itself is running on fumes.

As a result, the Supreme Court Building is closing its doors to the public until further notice, though it will stay open for official business. “As a result, the Supreme Court Building will be closed to the public until further notice. The Building will remain open for official business,” McCabe confirmed.

Despite the cash crunch, the Supreme Court plans to keep the wheels turning with essential tasks like hearing oral arguments, issuing rulings, and processing filings. They’ll even maintain police and building support to keep operations afloat. But let’s be real—how long can they keep this up without a budget?

Federal Courts Brace for Operational Limits

Federal courts across the country aren’t faring much better, with funding expected to vanish by October 20, 2025. Many court staffers will be limited to “excepted” activities under the Anti-Deficiency Act—basically, the bare minimum to protect life, property, and constitutional duties.

Here’s the kicker: those stuck doing this critical work won’t even get paid for it, while others not deemed essential will be furloughed. Talk about a raw deal—dedicated public servants left high and dry because Congress can’t get its act together.

Thankfully, some functions like jury programs will keep running, with jurors instructed to follow court directives. Access to electronic case records for filings will also remain operational, offering a sliver of normalcy. But with each of the 94 federal judicial districts deciding their own operations, it’s a patchwork mess waiting to unravel.

Courts Scramble with Limited Resources

Some federal courts might squeeze out a bit of extra work using fee balances and non-appropriated funds, especially over the weekend before their money runs out on October 20, 2025. But don’t hold your breath—this is a Band-Aid on a gaping wound.

Individual courts will have to play judge and jury over which cases proceed and which get delayed, a decision that could ripple through the justice system for months. Future operations hinge on staffing levels, and with no clarity on when the shutdown ends, uncertainty reigns supreme.

Federal judges, to their credit, will continue serving as mandated by the Constitution, even without a paycheck in sight. It’s a noble stand, but one that underscores the absurdity of a system held hostage by political theater.

Shutdown Politics Undermine Judicial Integrity

Let’s lay the blame where it belongs—on a Congress more interested in scoring points than solving problems. Democrats’ refusal to budge on a funding bill without their cherished health care subsidies, and Republicans’ hardline stance, have created this judicial crisis.

It’s a classic case of progressive agendas and stubborn partisanship colliding, with ordinary Americans—and our courts—left to suffer.

The judiciary isn’t some pawn in a political chess game; it’s the backbone of our democracy, meant to stand above the fray. Yet here we are, watching federal courts ration resources while politicians posture. If this doesn’t wake up the folks in Washington, what will?