why the government shutdown

The US government shutdown in 2025 occurred because Congress failed to pass a funding bill for the federal government. The main reason for the deadlock was partisan disagreements, primarily between Republicans and Democrats, over budget levels, foreign aid rescissions, and health insurance subsidies. Republicans, led by President Donald Trump, aimed to reduce the size of the federal government, while Democrats insisted on continuing tax credits that make health insurance more affordable and preventing cuts to programs like Medicaid. The Republicans hold a majority in Congress but lack enough votes in the Senate to pass their spending bill, leading to the stalemate. The shutdown began at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2025, as a result of this failure to agree on appropriations legislation for the 2026 fiscal year. It resulted in furloughing roughly 900,000 federal employees and another 700,000 working without pay, though certain essential services like Medicare, Medicaid, air traffic control, and border security continued operating. This shutdown reflects a particularly contentious political environment under President Trump, who has shown willingness to let a shutdown happen and use it to identify "non-essential" government positions that may be permanently cut. In summary, the shutdown is due to Congress's inability to pass a funding bill amidst sharp partisan divides on healthcare subsidies and federal spending priorities, making it the first shutdown in nearly six years with significant impacts on government operations and employees.