are we currently in a government shutdown

Yes, the United States is currently in a government shutdown. The federal government shutdown began at 12:01 a.m. EDT on October 1, 2025, due to a failure by Congress to pass appropriations legislation for the 2026 fiscal year. The shutdown occurred because of a partisan deadlock between Republicans and Democrats over federal spending levels, health insurance subsidies, and Medicaid cuts, despite Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress. Many government agencies are either partially or fully suspended, and around 900,000 federal employees have been furloughed, with another 700,000 working without pay. Essential services like Medicare, Medicaid, TSA, and Amtrak continue to operate during the shutdown, but non-essential government functions have ceased until funding is restored.