US Government Shutdown Costs Taxpayers $400 Million Daily, Furloughs 900,000 Workers

The U.S. government shutdown beginning October 1, 2025, due to a partisan dispute over Affordable Care Act subsidy extensions, has furloughed roughly 900,000 federal employees, with 700,000 others working without pay, causing significant disruptions in tourism, transportation, and public services. National landmarks and federal-run sites like the Liberty Bell and the Smithsonian museums have closed, while travel delays and reduced services at airports and national parks have been reported. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the shutdown costs taxpayers about $400 million daily in wages paid to furloughed workers who are not working, with overall economic impacts potentially much larger if the shutdown continues. Key federal agencies including the CDC, FDA, and NIH face reduced operations, and programs like WIC are partially suspended, affecting public health services. Political leaders are sharply divided, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democrats insisting on maintaining health care subsidies, while President Trump and Republicans oppose the spending bill including these provisions. The shutdown's economic fallout includes delayed military pay and a negative reaction in financial markets, with concerns mounting over long-term damage to government functions and the broader economy.