The US government shutdown occurred because Congress and the White House failed to reach an agreement on a federal funding bill before the deadline. The Republican Party, led by President Donald Trump, controls both chambers of Congress but does not have the 60 votes needed in the Senate to pass the spending bill without Democratic support. Democrats refuse to support the Republican bill because they oppose cuts to healthcare programs and advocate for preserving tax credits that make health insurance affordable, as well as reversing Medicaid cuts. This funding impasse resulted in a shutdown, which started at midnight, suspending some government services and furloughing many federal workers. Essential services like border security, emergency medical care, law enforcement, and air traffic control continue to operate, but non- essential staff are placed on unpaid leave. The shutdown is notable as it is the first since 2018 and reflects ongoing significant political divides over budget and healthcare policies under the Trump administration.
