Washington: The United States federal government has entered its sixth consecutive day of a partial shutdown, following Congress's failure to pass a funding bill for the 2026 fiscal year, which began on October 1. The ongoing standoff has left approximately 800,000 federal employees furloughed, while another 700,000 continue to work without pay.
Essential services, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Transportation Security Administration, remain operational. However, several key agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health, have suspended some or all operations.
The shutdown is the result of a political impasse between President Donald Trump and Democratic lawmakers. Democrats are pushing for a permanent extension of Affordable Care Act premium tax credits and protection against unilateral spending cuts. Republicans, on the other hand, are advocating for reforms to the ACA. Efforts to pass temporary funding bills have repeatedly failed due to a lack of bipartisan support.
The White House has warned that mass layoffs of federal employees could occur if negotiations do not progress. President Trump has described potential job losses as “Democrat layoffs,” blaming the opposition party for the deadlock.
The shutdown has also disrupted the release of critical economic data. Agencies such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and the Census Bureau have halted data collection and reporting, creating uncertainty for policymakers and investors.
Approximately 40 percent of federal employees have been placed on unpaid leave. Law enforcement officers, air traffic controllers, healthcare workers, and border protection staff are among those affected, resulting in potential service delays and operational challenges across multiple federal sectors.
As of now, there is no clear resolution in sight. Senate votes on funding proposals continue to fail, and both parties remain entrenched in their positions, prolonging the uncertainty for federal workers and Americans relying on government services.