The United States federal government officially entered a partial shutdown on Wednesday after lawmakers failed to reach a funding agreement before the midnight deadline. The deadlock came as Senate Democrats blocked a short-term funding extension backed by Republicans, citing anger over being sidelined in negotiations and disagreements on healthcare subsidies.
The proposed continuing resolution (CR), which passed the House largely along party lines on September 19, would have extended current government funding through November 21 while giving Congress time to set fiscal year 2026 priorities. Democrats, however, opposed the measure, insisting it should include an extension of enhanced Obamacare subsidies set to expire later this year.
Republican leaders accused Democrats of holding the government “hostage” over spending demands. “There isn’t any substantive reason why there ought to be a government shutdown,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) argued. “But we are not going to be held hostage for over $1 trillion in new spending.”
President Donald Trump and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) now have wide discretion over which federal services will remain active. However, thousands of federal workers face furloughs or unpaid shifts, and key agencies could shut down. OMB Director Russ Vought directed agencies to execute orderly shutdown procedures, warning some federal employees may face mass layoffs.
Trump told reporters that Republicans did not seek a shutdown but warned Democrats could face “irreversible” consequences. “We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible … cutting vast numbers of people out, cutting programs they like,” he said.
Democrats blasted the remarks. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) accused Trump of using Americans as “political pawns.” He added: “We stand ready to work with Republicans to find a bipartisan compromise. The ball is in their court.”
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates about 750,000 federal employees could be furloughed each day, costing roughly $400 million daily in lost compensation. Active-duty service members will continue working but without pay, while lawmakers remain constitutionally guaranteed their salaries.
Public access to Washington institutions including the Capitol Visitor Center, the Botanic Garden, and the Library of Congress will be suspended. Congressional trips abroad are also canceled until the shutdown ends.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has instructed Republicans to remain unified and avoid political events during the shutdown, while both chambers are expected to reconvene in Washington next week to resume negotiations.
The duration of the shutdown remains uncertain, hinging on whether Democrats and Republicans can bridge their deep divisions over spending and healthcare funding.
Report by: Chris Odjomah