Washington: The United States federal government has now entered its 21st day of a partial shutdown, making it one of the longest in U.S. history. The shutdown began on October 1, 2025, after Congress failed to pass appropriations legislation for the 2026 fiscal year. On October 20, the Senate failed for the 11th time to advance a funding bill, with a 50–43 vote falling short of the 60 votes required to proceed. This deadlock has left approximately 900,000 federal employees furloughed and another 700,000 working without pay, creating widespread disruption across federal services.

The primary point of contention is the extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, set to expire on November 1. Democrats insist that these credits be included in the funding bill, while Republicans and the White House advocate for a “clean” bill without additional spending measures. The shutdown has impacted several federal operations, including the judiciary, where around 1,250 employees have been furloughed the first time in nearly three decades that courts have sent workers home due to a funding lapse. About 1,400 employees from the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration are also furloughed, while Americans planning international travel are facing delays in passport processing.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett indicated that the shutdown could end this week, suggesting that negotiations may advance following the conclusion of recent “No Kings” rallies. However, divisions within the Republican Party remain, with some members pushing for a longer stopgap measure extending into 2026, while others, including Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, favor a shorter-term solution to facilitate bipartisan agreement. As the shutdown continues, its economic and social repercussions are becoming increasingly pronounced, affecting government employees, essential services, and public confidence in federal operations.