US Government Shutdown Begins Amid Partisan Deadlock Affecting 750,000 Federal Employees

The U.S. government entered a shutdown due to a partisan deadlock between Democrats and Republicans over a $1.7 trillion funding bill, which led to the failure of both parties' short-term spending proposals in the Senate. The shutdown affects nonessential services, with around 750,000 federal workers furloughed daily and key government operations like scientific research, loan issuance, and pollution cleanup halted, while essential workers such as military personnel remain on duty but unpaid until funding is restored. Central to the dispute is Democrats' demand for extending Affordable Care Act subsidies to prevent a sharp rise in healthcare costs for 24 million Americans, which Republicans oppose, insisting that healthcare must be addressed separately. President Trump has indicated he may use the shutdown to push through his agenda of cutting federal jobs and programs, viewing the impasse as an opportunity to reduce government size and personnel. The standoff has sparked warnings of prolonged economic and governmental disruption, recalling the 2018-2019 shutdown during Trump's first term, which cost the economy billions. Both sides remain entrenched, with Democrats blaming Republicans for the shutdown and vice versa, while millions of Americans face uncertainty over government services and federal workers confront financial strain due to unpaid furloughs.