The United States federal government has entered a shutdown after lawmakers in the Senate failed to approve competing funding bills, leaving agencies scrambling and millions of Americans uncertain about the days ahead.
According to CNN, both Democratic and Republican-backed measures were rejected in late-night votes on Tuesday, pushing the government past its budget deadline.
The Democratic proposal focused on preserving Affordable Care Act subsidies and restoring Medicaid support, while Republicans pushed a short-term plan to extend funding for seven weeks. Neither plan garnered enough support to pass.
Following the deadlock, White House Budget Director Russell Vought ordered federal agencies to begin shutdown procedures.
This means non-essential operations will halt, while critical services, such as national security and emergency functions, will continue under limited capacity.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer blamed Republicans for what he described as “political inflexibility,” urging them to compromise.
“We are willing to negotiate, but America cannot afford a government held hostage to rigid demands,” Schumer said after the vote.
Republicans, however, argue that Democrats are the ones blocking progress. Vice President JD Vance said the administration had offered concessions, but Democrats insisted on provisions Republicans could not accept.
“The White House tried to prevent this, but Democrats refused to move an inch. That’s why we are here today,” Vance told reporters.
President Donald Trump met with congressional leaders earlier in the week in a last-ditch effort to avoid the funding lapse, but the talks collapsed without agreement.
The main sticking points remain healthcare spending and Medicaid protections, issues Democrats are unwilling to compromise on and Republicans refuse to expand.
This shutdown marks the 21st government closure since 1977. The last one, under Trump’s first term from December 2018 to January 2019, lasted 35 days, the longest in U.S. history.
That shutdown left thousands of federal workers unpaid, with many depending on food banks and struggling to cover basic expenses.
The Congressional Budget Office later reported that the standoff cost the U.S. economy around $3 billion in lost activity.