- The U.S. government entered its first shutdown since 2019 after Congress and President Donald Trump failed to agree on a budget before the deadline.
- Around 750,000 federal workers face furloughs or delayed pay, with an estimated cost of $400 million per day. Essential services like the military, Social Security, and food stamps will continue, but without pay for workers, raising safety concerns.
- Democrats demand billions in restored health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans, backed by Trump, refused to negotiate healthcare funding as part of budget talks.
- Senate rules require 60 votes, with Republicans holding a 53-47 majority, but at least 7 Democrats are needed to pass any funding bill.
- Trump welcomed the shutdown as an opportunity to shrink government and hinted at targeting Democratic-leaning social programs. He also warned of further mass layoffs in the federal workforce, building on his administration’s plans to cut 300,000 jobs by December.
US Government Shutdown Begins After Lawmakers Fail to Reach Budget Deal
