The United States is experiencing a federal government shutdown, the first since 2019. The impasse stems from a failure to reach an agreement on a financial bill between US President Donald Trump and Congress, potentially leading to the furlough of 900,000 government employees.
While essential services that are critical for public safety and security remain operational during shutdowns, past shutdowns have resulted in the cancellation of immigration hearings and delays in funding for homebuyers and small businesses. The longest previous shutdown lasted 35 days, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019.
The primary cause of the current shutdown is the disagreement over the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ presented by Republicans, which includes Medicaid cuts. Democrats are seeking to reverse these cuts and increase tax credits for health insurance premiums, but Republicans are unwilling to concede.
This situation mirrors the 35-day government shutdown during Trump’s first term when funding for the US-Mexico border wall was a major point of contention. Today is October 1st, the start of the US fiscal year, during which the government plans its spending and budget. If a new budget is not passed by this date, government operations are halted, triggering a shutdown.
According to House Representative Ami Bera, the shutdown will end when Congress passes a new appropriations bill and the President signs it. A resolution requires compromise between Republicans and Democrats, which appears challenging at present. The Republican party is preparing to vote on the funding bill again in the Senate. Republican leaders have stated that they will continue to present the bill daily until Democrats support it. Trump has placed the blame for the shutdown on the Democrats.
