Washington: The United States government entered a partial shutdown on Wednesday as deepening political divisions between Democrats and Republicans in Congress blocked agreement on federal funding. This marks the 15th shutdown since 1981, potentially halting essential services and jeopardizing thousands of federal jobs.
The standoff erupted after the Senate rejected a short-term spending measure intended to keep the government operating through November 21. Democrats opposed the bill due to Republicans’ refusal to extend health benefits for millions of Americans, while Republicans insisted the issue be handled separately. The impasse centers on $1.7 trillion allocated for agency operations roughly one-quarter of the federal budget while the remainder covers mandatory spending on health programs, retirement benefits, and interest payments on the national debt, which now totals $37.5 trillion.
Federal agencies warned that the shutdown would delay the release of the September employment report, suspend scientific research, disrupt air travel, and furlough approximately 750,000 federal workers, at a daily cost of $400 million. U.S. troops will also experience pay interruptions during the closure. President Donald Trump, aiming to reshape federal operations, threatened additional job cuts and program reductions if a resolution is not reached, potentially accelerating the removal of 300,000 federal employees by December.
Financial markets responded nervously to the shutdown, with Wall Street futures slipping, gold reaching record highs, and Asian stocks fluctuating amid investor concerns. The U.S. dollar dropped to a near one-week low against major currencies, reflecting uncertainty over economic stability.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer condemned Republican tactics as an attempt to “bully” Democrats, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune framed the rejected bill as nonpartisan and unprecedentedly political, attributing the shutdown to President Trump’s administration rather than procedural necessity. Analysts warn that the current stalemate could extend longer than previous shutdowns, amplifying economic and operational disruptions across federal agencies.
This unfolding crisis underscores the persistent partisan gridlock in Washington, leaving millions of Americans uncertain about government services and the broader implications for the U.S. economy.