SHOTLIST: WASHINGTON, US (OCT. 22, 2025) (ANADOLU — ACCESS ALL) 1. US CAPITOL / TRAFFIC FLOW (TWO SHOTS) 2. EXTERIOR OF US CAPITOL 3. VARIOUS OF NOTICE ABOUT GOVERNMENT SHOTDOWN PLACED OUTSIDE US CAPITOL SCRIPT The US government shutdown entered its 23rd day on Thursday, Oct. 23, the second-longest in the country's history. The shutdown, triggered by a budget standoff between Republicans and Democrats, has led to widespread disruptions across federal agencies. US Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley on Wednesday wrapped up a marathon speech on the Senate floor after speaking for more than 22 hours to protest President Donald Trump’s presidency amid a government shutdown. Merkley began speaking at 6.21 pm (2221GMT) Tuesday, standing next to a sign that said: "Ring the alarm bells: Authoritarianism is here now." "Mr. President, I've come to the Senate floor tonight to ring the alarm bells. We're in the most perilous moment, the biggest threat to our republic since the Civil War. President Trump is shredding our Constitution," he said in his opening remarks. His speech delayed the Senate's plans to vote on a House-passed funding bill to reopen the federal government, marking the 12th attempt to end the shutdown. Senators applauded as Merkley yielded the floor. The shutdown began Oct. 1 after a breakdown in negotiations on federal spending priorities. Thousands of federal workers have since been furloughed, or working without pay, while government services have been curtailed or suspended.