The United States government has entered a shutdown after lawmakers failed to agree on a spending bill to keep federal operations running. The prelude has beenca bitter dispute between Republicans and Democrats over healthcare funding.
Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress, were able to push a stopgap funding bill through the House of Representatives. But in the Senate, where 60 votes are required, they fell short. Democrats have refused to back the measure, arguing that it undermines affordable healthcare for millions of Americans.
The opposition is demanding an extension of tax credits that reduce health insurance costs and a reversal of cuts to Medicaid imposed under President Donald Trump. They also oppose reductions to health agency budgets, which they say would weaken essential services.
The standoff has left the government in partial paralysis. While essential workers such as border agents, law enforcement officers, air traffic controllers, and in-hospital medical staff will continue their duties, many will do so without pay. Non-essential federal employees, meanwhile, face unpaid leave until the impasse is resolved.
The shutdown will also affect everyday life. Social Security and Medicare payments will still be issued, but benefit verification and card services could be suspended.
Also, national parks and museums are likely to close or operate with minimal staff, raising fears of vandalism and poor maintenance.
Agencies such as the CDC and NIH are expected to scale back operations, potentially disrupting research and ongoing experiments. Air travel may also be hit by delays, with slower systems and longer passport processing times.
For now, there are only two clear paths to ending the shutdown: Republicans could agree to Democrats’ demand for healthcare subsidies, or Democrats could yield under mounting pressure from public frustration.
Meanwhile, President Trump has signalled little willingness to compromise, hinting that the standoff could serve his long-term goal of further shrinking the federal government.
As both parties dig in, the political gamble is over who the public will blame most.
Democrats believe their fight to preserve healthcare is a winning issue, while Republicans are betting that voters will fault Democrats for holding up government funding. Until a compromise emerges, millions of Americans will feel the effects of Washington’s deadlock.
