why is there a shutdown

The U.S. government shutdown occurred because Congress and the White House failed to reach an agreement on a funding bill to keep the government operating past the deadline. The main deadlock centers on the healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid funding. Republicans, led by President Donald Trump, who control both chambers of Congress, lack enough votes in the Senate to pass a spending bill without Democratic support. Democrats oppose the Republican proposals primarily due to concerns about cuts to healthcare access and funding for agencies like the CDC and NIH. Both parties rejected each other's funding proposals, prompting a shutdown starting at midnight Tuesday/Wednesday as federal funds expired. During the shutdown, many government services pause, federal employees may be furloughed without pay, and economic activities are affected. Essential services like air traffic control and national security continue operating, but many other government functions stop until a new funding agreement is reached.