US Government Shuts Down After Funding Deal Fails
The United States federal government has entered a shutdown after President Donald Trump and Congress failed to reach an agreement on a funding bill. The shutdown, the first since Trump returned to office, will see roughly 750,000 federal workers furloughed and many government services suspended. The political impasse stems from deep partisan divides over budget priorities, including Democratic demands for healthcare subsidies. The shutdown creates significant economic uncertainty, with potential ripple effects across the US and global economies.
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Services such as national parks, nutrition assistance, housing assistance, some Social Security and Medicaid benefits, and processing of veteran claims are significantly impacted. Many federal workers are furloughed, causing delays or halts in these programs.
Essential services like national security, emergency medical care, air traffic control, law enforcement, border security, disaster aid, and power grid maintenance remain operational, although they may experience some disruptions.
The shutdown is primarily due to partisan disputes over budget priorities, especially Democratic demands for healthcare subsidies and other spending priorities that Republicans oppose.
Shutdowns harm the economy by disrupting federal services, reducing consumer and business confidence, and delaying payments and contracts. Previous shutdowns have resulted in measurable economic losses and uncertainty for both the US and global markets.