Trump Says Vote to End Shutdown Could Come ‘Pretty Soon’

Time is running out before impacts of the nearly month-long closure are expected to widen.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., during an event to welcome the 2025 LSU and LSU-Shreveport national champion baseball teams in the East Room of the White House, on Oct. 20, 2025, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP Photo

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump told a crowd of college baseball players and their families at the White House on Oct. 20 that he expects a speedy resolution to the nearly month-long government shutdown.

“We’ll get the vote pretty soon,” Trump said, noting his belief that a breakthrough in negotiations with Democratic Party representatives is imminent. “I hear they’re starting to feel that way, like they have to do what’s right for the country, and they will.”

Repeated attempts to pass a continuing resolution have failed since the shutdown began at midnight on Oct. 1, including an 11th rejection on Oct. 20.

With time running out before the impacts of the shutdown widen—millions of individuals enrolled in food stamp programs will not receive benefits starting Nov. 1, among other effects—Trump expressed optimism that the two sides can come to terms.

“I think we’re doing very well,” Trump said. “I think they’ll have no choice but to go along because the country is setting records in every way, and the people want it to continue.”

His upbeat assessment paralleled comments made by Kevin Hassett, National Economic Council director, who earlier in the day said he expected a deal by the end of the week.

Lawmakers are wrangling over Medicaid subsidies and health care tax credits, among other issues.

The president criticized his political opponents for blocking the vote, saying, “It’s the first time in history a group has not voted for continuation.”

“So, they’re having a Trump derangement problem,” Trump said. “That’s the only reason it could be possible.”

He made the remarks during a ceremony in the East Room honoring the Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers and the LSU Shreveport Pilots baseball teams for their respective college World Series performances.

Pilots’ players pulled off a perfect season, finishing 59-0.

A comeback victory in the championship game gave the team its first National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Baseball World Series win, also the first-ever national title in any sport for the university.

The Tigers capped off a winning season by capturing the school’s eighth National Collegiate Athletic Association’s men’s college World Series title by sweeping the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in two games.

Ten players from the roster were drafted by Major League Baseball teams and are headed to “greater glory,” according to the president.

Trump praised the players and coaches for their championship seasons, joking that Washington, D.C., needs more winners and successful leaders.

“I think we should bring them into government,” Trump said. “We can definitely use them.”

Tigers’ coach Jay Johnson thanked the commander in chief for the opportunity to visit the White House and for his well-known work ethic.

“Nobody works harder for America than you,” Johnson said.