Kathmandu: The U.S. government shut down at midnight after Congress and the White House failed to strike a deal to extend federal funding, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay and key services disrupted.
Despite controlling both chambers of Congress, President Donald Trump’s Republican Party could not secure enough Democratic votes in the Senate, where 60 are required to pass a funding bill. Both Republican and Democratic proposals were rejected just hours before the deadline, triggering the first government shutdown since 2018.
The shutdown affects about 750,000 federal employees, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Many will be furloughed while others in essential services, including airport security, air traffic control, law enforcement, and the military, will continue working without pay. Workers are guaranteed back pay once the government reopens, but the CBO estimates furlough compensation will cost taxpayers $400 million.
National parks will remain partially open, and Medicare and Social Security benefits are unaffected, though new applications could face delays.
The deadlock stems from sharp divisions over health care funding and budget priorities. Democrats have demanded protections for Affordable Care Act subsidies and limits on Trump’s unilateral spending powers, while Republicans pushed a short-term “clean” funding bill that Democrats rejected as inadequate.
Both parties are now attempting to frame the shutdown in their favor.
Public opinion may prove decisive in breaking the impasse. Recent polls suggest blame is likely to be shared, though Republicans may face greater political risk. With no clear path forward, lawmakers are set to reconvene this week, but officials warn the shutdown could last at least several days.