A government shutdown happens primarily because of a failure by the legislative branch, especially Congress, to pass funding legislation that authorizes the government’s operations for the next fiscal year or a temporary funding bill. This situation is often caused by partisan disagreements over budgetary priorities, such as disputes on spending levels or specific policy demands tied to the funding bills. In the United States, shutdowns occur when Congress and the President cannot agree on an appropriations bill before current funding expires. During a shutdown, non-essential federal agencies cease operations, and many federal employees are furloughed without pay, though some essential staff continue working without immediate pay. Shutdowns often arise from disputes over issues like healthcare funding, border security spending, or cuts to various government departments and programs. For example, past shutdowns have been triggered by disagreements over funding for a border wall, healthcare policy, or spending cuts to federal agencies. The government shutdown looming in late September 2025 involved contention between President Donald Trump’s Republican majority in Congress and Democrats over healthcare services cuts and budget priorities. Thus, the government shuts down because of legislative deadlock on passing appropriations bills necessary for continuing federal funding and operations.
