U.S. Government Shuts Down After Congress Fails to Reach Funding Deal

The United States federal government entered a partial shutdown early Wednesday after lawmakers in Congress failed to agree on a temporary funding bill to keep government operations running.

The shutdown began at 12:01 a.m. following the collapse of a stopgap measure, known as a continuing resolution, that would have extended funding until late November.

The bill stalled in the Senate, where Democrats and Republicans clashed over healthcare subsidies, social program cuts, and spending priorities. With no agreement in place, funding for much of the federal government expired at the start of the new fiscal year.

As a result, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are expected to be furloughed without pay, while “essential” workers, including members of the military, air traffic controllers, and border security personnel, will continue to report for duty but may not receive their salaries until the shutdown is resolved.

Non-essential services such as national parks, some public health research projects, and parts of agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are being scaled back or closed.

Economic analysts estimate that the shutdown could cost the U.S. about $400 million per day, with prolonged closure likely to disrupt services, delay federal contracts, and shake investor confidence.

Political leaders immediately traded blame. Democrats accused Republicans of blocking funding in order to avoid restoring social program cuts, while Republicans countered that Democrats were inserting policy demands unrelated to the budget. In a move that drew criticism, the Department of Housing and Urban Development briefly posted a banner on its website blaming the “radical left” for the shutdown, a message critics described as partisan propaganda.

The White House has warned that the standoff, if prolonged, could hurt ordinary Americans who rely on federal programs and undermine global confidence in U.S. governance.

Congressional leaders, however, remain dug in, raising fears of a drawn-out impasse similar to previous shutdowns.

With both chambers adjourned without a deal, negotiations are expected to continue in the coming days. Until then, Americans are bracing for the economic and social ripple effects of a government shutdown that has once again exposed the deep partisan divides in Washington.