Key Facts

• The U.S. government is experiencing a shutdown, now on its third day.
• This shutdown has postponed the Labor Department's monthly jobs report.
• The Trump administration is using the shutdown to push the idea of firing federal workers.
• The Senate needs at least seven Democrats to join Republicans for a funding bill to pass, but only three have switched sides so far.
• The administration sent letters to several universities asking them to support Trump’s policies in return for priority access to federal grants.
• Some demands include keeping tuition flat and sharing data on international students.
• Critics argue that this proposal threatens academic freedom and free speech.
• The American Association of University Professors advises universities not to agree to these terms.