US Government Shuts Down After Unresolved Budget Dispute

The U.S. government has officially shut down after a battle over the budget in Congress, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay and services across the country disrupted. With no deal reached by the midnight deadline, both Democrats and Republicans are blaming each other — and millions of Americans are stuck in the middle.

Around 800,000 federal workers are now either furloughed or working without pay, and many government offices and services are shuttered. Essential operations like air traffic control and homeland security continue, but without paychecks for the workers. Others, like passport services, scientific research, and food assistance programs, are already seeing slowdowns or standstills.

President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House for a second term, has now presided over three government shutdowns — and he’s using this one to double down on his plans to shrink the federal government. He has openly said the administration plans to fire federal workers, not just furlough them, and target programs favored by Democrats, warning of “irreversible” actions. “They’re going to be Democrats,” Trump said of the planned layoffs, emphasizing that cuts would hit programs “they like.”

The impact is already being felt:

• TSA agents and air traffic controllers are still reporting to work without pay, raising concerns about airport delays. During the 2018 shutdown, unpaid workers calling out sick caused major disruptions.
• National parks may remain open, but with no staff, which led to vandalism and damage during the last shutdown. Over 40 former superintendents are calling for full closures to prevent a repeat.
• Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will stay open until at least October 6th, but webcams — including the popular panda cam — have been turned off.
• Federal contractors are also out of work, and unlike government employees, they likely won’t receive back pay.
• Programs like WIC (nutrition for women and children) could run out of funding quickly. SNAP (food stamps) and Medicare/Medicaid will continue for now but may face staffing issues.

Meanwhile, inside the Democratic Party, cracks are starting to show. A few Democratic senators crossed party lines to support the GOP bill, fearing the shutdown would only hand Trump more control over government operations. “The paradox is by shutting the government we’re actually giving Donald Trump more power,” said Sen. Angus King, who caucuses with the Democrats but voted for the Republican measure.

With both parties holding firm and no real negotiations in motion, there’s no clear path forward. Past shutdowns have ended with little gained and lasting political damage, and this one could be no different. As Ted Cruz put it: “They’re trying to show … that they hate Trump. It will end inevitably in capitulation.” Until then, the lights stay off in Washington — and Americans are left waiting.