why is there a government shutdown

The US government is facing a shutdown because Congress has not reached an agreement on a crucial funding bill needed to finance federal government operations for the new fiscal year starting October 1, 2025. Despite Republicans holding the majority in both the House and Senate, they lack the 60 votes needed in the Senate to pass the spending bill. Democrats refuse to support the Republican proposal because it does not meet their demands regarding healthcare—specifically, they want to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies and oppose cuts to programs like Medicaid and public health agencies. The standoff is intensified by President Donald Trump's approach, which includes willingness to allow parts of the government to remain closed longer than usual and even permanently cut some federal jobs. If no agreement is reached, many government agencies will suspend non-essential services, and federal workers may be furloughed without pay, although essential services like military, air traffic control, and emergency medical care will continue functioning. This shutdown situation is distinctive because of the political dynamics, Trump's administration's previous efforts to reduce government size, and the upcoming midterm elections increasing tensions. It follows a history of shutdowns caused by disagreements over budget allocations at the start of the fiscal year, but the current impasse is charged with healthcare policy disputes and power struggles in Congress.