The government shutdown means that the U.S. federal government ceased operations starting October 1, 2025, due to Congress failing to pass a funding bill to finance government activities. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers who are deemed non-essential have been furloughed, which means they are temporarily laid off and will not receive paychecks during the shutdown. Essential services related to national security, public safety, and critical functions like air traffic control, Social Security payments, and military operations continue, but often without immediate pay. The shutdown results from a deadlock between Republicans and Democrats over spending priorities, particularly around healthcare policies, Medicaid funding cuts, and health insurance tax credits. While some agencies and programs remain operational, many government services and federal employees are on hold, causing disruptions in daily lives, delays in services, and uncertainty for federal workers and beneficiaries who rely on government programs.
