U.S. Government Shuts Down After Budget Talks Collapse
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government has officially shut down after President Donald Trump and Congress failed to agree on a funding plan by Wednesday’s deadline. The closure leaves the country facing a new period of uncertainty.
Around 750,000 federal workers are expected to be furloughed without pay, and some could even lose their jobs permanently under Trump’s orders. Many government offices are closing, while Trump has promised to push his deportation policies forward. Programs in education, the environment, and other services are likely to suffer. The shutdown’s effects are expected to ripple through the U.S. economy in the coming days.
“We don’t want it to shut down,” Trump said before the deadline, but he and Congress could not reach a deal.
This marks the third shutdown under Trump’s leadership, highlighting deep divisions in Washington. Democrats are demanding funding to help keep health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, which millions rely on. Without them, insurance costs are expected to rise nationwide. Republicans have so far refused to negotiate and have backed Trump in avoiding talks.
Both sides are blaming each other, leaving no clear path forward. Analysts warn that the shutdown could disrupt benefit payments, government contracts, and everyday services.
Some programs, like Medicare, Medicaid, the Pentagon, and Homeland Security, will continue operating, but with possible delays. National parks and museums may close if staffing becomes too thin.
The Senate has rejected several bills from both parties to keep the government running. Democrats want health care funding included, while Republicans argue it should be debated separately. With no compromise in sight, there’s no easy way out of the shutdown.
This is not the first time the U.S. has faced such a crisis. In Trump’s first term, the nation endured its longest-ever shutdown — 35 days — over border wall funding. Past presidents have also dealt with shutdowns, including a 16-day closure under Barack Obama in 2013.
For now, Americans are left waiting to see how long this standoff will last — and how much damage it will cause.
