Federal Government Shutdown Halts Services, Furloughs 750,000 Workers Nationwide

The federal government shutdown, triggered by a failure of Congress to pass a funding bill, is impacting hundreds of thousands of federal workers nationwide, including 47,000 in San Diego County and nearly 30,000 in Oregon. The shutdown stems from disagreements primarily over the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies and Medicaid funding, with President Trump and Republicans blaming Democrats for insisting on healthcare provisions, while Democrats accuse Republicans of refusing to negotiate. Essential federal employees such as air traffic controllers and law enforcement officers continue working without pay, and many others face furloughs or layoffs. The shutdown disrupts various federal services including passport processing, national park operations, nutrition programs, and education grants, with the Education Department suspending new grant awards and furloughing most staff managing student aid. Arizona officials and lawmakers attribute the shutdown to political stalemate, highlighting the potential for increased healthcare costs and coverage losses if subsidies expire. The standoff reflects ongoing partisan conflicts over healthcare and budget priorities, with significant consequences for workers and public services until a bipartisan agreement is reached.