why is the government going to shut down

The U.S. government is poised to shut down because Congress has been unable to agree on a spending bill to fund government services past the fiscal year deadline of September 30, 2025. The main reason for the impasse is the disagreement between President Donald Trump's Republican Party, which holds the majority in Congress, and the Democrats. Republicans want to pass a short- term funding bill through November 21, but Democrats oppose it, mainly due to disputes over healthcare policy, including the continuation of tax credits for health insurance and reversals of Medicaid cuts. Senate Democrats, leveraging the filibuster rule requiring 60 votes, have blocked the bill. This stalemate leaves the government without authorized funding, forcing a shutdown starting at midnight unless a deal is reached. Essential services will continue, but many federal employees will be furloughed without pay during the shutdown.