The United States Government has entered a shutdown, forcing federal agencies to halt many operations and furlough hundreds of thousands of workers. The closure began after Congress failed to pass a budget deal before the new fiscal year.
This shutdown is different from earlier ones because former President Donald Trump hinted at possible long-term staff cuts. The White House budget director said officials are reviewing ways to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
Congress is responsible for approving funding bills each year. Typically, temporary measures keep agencies running until a full agreement is reached. This time, however, the stopgap bill expired on September 30 without renewal, leading to widespread disruption.
Some services remain active. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid payments continue, but the Social Security Administration is cutting staff and suspending outreach programs. Food assistance programs, including SNAP and WIC, are still running but face limited funding.
The Postal Service remains unaffected since it operates independently. The Internal Revenue Service is fully staffed for now, though longer delays could impact services. Air traffic controllers and TSA staff will continue working, but without pay, until the shutdown ends.
The military’s two million service members also remain on duty without pay. Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Border Patrol, and Coast Guard, will continue operations. Federal courts can function until mid-October before facing budget issues.
The United States Government shutdown also delays important economic reports like unemployment and GDP data. Small businesses are affected as the Small Business Administration stops approving new loans. FEMA, while still active, is cutting thousands of workers.
The last major shutdown in 2018 lasted 35 days, the longest in US history. If the current impasse is not resolved quickly, millions of citizens could face even greater disruptions.
The United States Government now faces mounting pressure to end the political deadlock and restore normal services for the public.
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