Washington DC: Shutdown triggered amid partisan deadlock
The US federal government officially entered a shutdown on Wednesday after Democrats and Republicans in the Senate failed to pass competing funding plans, deepening the partisan standoff over federal spending and health care.
On Tuesday night, the GOP’s proposal to extend funding until November 21 fell short in the Senate by a 55-45 vote, missing the 60 votes required to overcome a filibuster. Democrats simultaneously blocked the alternative plan, which sought to extend funding until the end of October while adding over $1 trillion in health care spending, including maintaining Affordable Care Act subsidies and reversing recent Medicaid cuts.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) confirmed that current federal funding levels expired at 11:59 pm, officially triggering a government shutdown. A memo issued by the OMB instructed federal agencies to begin implementing shutdown procedures, ensuring an orderly wind-down of non-essential operations.
Impact on federal employees and public services
Federal employees were instructed to report for duty to implement shutdown plans, while non-essential workers face furloughs or possible permanent layoffs, termed “reduction in force.” Agencies including the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) posted warnings online, highlighting the operational disruptions and attributing responsibility to partisan deadlock.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that approximately 750,000 federal employees could be affected daily during the shutdown. If health care tax credits lapse, around 4 million Americans could lose coverage next year, with an additional 20 million seeing higher insurance costs. By 2034, an extra 10 million people could become uninsured due to cuts associated with the GOP tax law, further intensifying the stakes of the stalemate.
Political blame game escalates
Senate Majority Leader John Thune criticised Democrats, saying, “The Democrats’ far-left base and far-left senators have demanded a showdown with the president,” warning of consequences for Americans. Democrats, however, defended their position, stating that their measures—including extending ACA subsidies and reversing Medicaid cuts—are crucial to prevent a health care crisis. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer added, “Americans are going to hold the president responsible when they start paying $400, $500, $600 a month more on their health insurance.”
Former President Donald Trump embraced the shutdown as a political opportunity, suggesting it could be used to cut programs favoured by Democrats. Trump also repeated unfounded claims that Democrats were shutting down the government to provide health care to undocumented immigrants. Tensions were further inflamed by Trump posting an AI-generated video mocking Democratic leaders, which drew sharp rebuttals from congressional figures.
Fractures within parties
The shutdown vote also exposed divisions within both parties. A few Democratic senators—including Catherine Cortez Masto, John Fetterman, and Angus King—supported the Republican funding bill, while Republican Senator Rand Paul opposed his party’s measure. This highlighted internal fractures and complicated the already tense negotiations.
Conclusion
With both parties entrenched and no compromise in sight, the government shutdown marks the first federal funding lapse in nearly seven years. Millions of Americans may face disruptions in services, while federal employees await updates on furloughs and layoffs. The political standoff underscores the deep partisan divide in Washington over spending priorities and health care, leaving little immediate hope for resolution.