US Government Shuts Down After Congress Fails to Pass Funding Bill
The United States government has entered a partial shutdown after Congress failed to agree on a federal funding measure before the deadline. The political impasse has resulted in over 750,000 federal employees being furloughed and will disrupt numerous government services, including visa and immigration processing. The deadlock arose after Senate Democrats blocked a Republican-backed spending bill over a dispute concerning the extension of health benefits, marking the 15th such shutdown in the U.S. since 1981.
Unpacked:
Over 750,000 federal employees will be furloughed, meaning they are placed on temporary unpaid leave. Essential workers, like TSA agents and Border Patrol, must work without pay. Many government services, such as visa processing, disaster relief, and food inspections, will be slowed or halted, impacting millions who rely on these services.
The primary dispute centers on health benefits: Democrats blocked the Republican-backed bill because it would reduce or eliminate health care coverage for millions and increase premiums. Republicans, meanwhile, sought to pass a spending measure that included these changes, arguing for fiscal restraint.
Shutdowns reduce economic output by delaying federal compensation and spending, which lowers consumer demand and private-sector income. Previous shutdowns have led to billions in lost GDP—some of which is never recovered—and cause cascading delays in sectors like aviation, small business, and public safety.
There have been 15 government shutdowns since 1981. Shutdown durations vary widely, from a few hours to more than a month; for example, the 2018-2019 shutdown lasted 35 days. The effects depend on the length and scope of each shutdown.