The United States government has entered another “shutdown.” This happened after the Senate voted on Tuesday and failed to pass a bill. That bill would have kept the government funded a little longer. The vote was 55 against to 45 for, but it needed at least 60 votes to pass. The government officially closed its non-essential services at midnight on Wednesday.
This gridlock means federal agencies must stop all non-critical work. The effects could be widespread. We might see delays in air travel. Important economic numbers, like the monthly jobs report, will not be released. Small businesses might not get their loans. Even some pollution cleanup efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency will pause.
Lawmakers from both sides have not found a way to agree. The main argument is over a massive $1.7 trillion budget. This money pays for how the government runs.
Democrats say any new budget must include extending health care help. This help comes from the Affordable Care Act. Without it, health costs for 24 million Americans would jump. Republicans, on the other hand, want these health care issues dealt with in a different bill. They say Democrats are using the budget as a bargaining chip.
President Donald Trump made things more tense. He threatened to cut programs that Democrats support. He also said he would fire more federal workers if the shutdown continued. Trump told reporters, “We will fire a lot of people. They will have to be Democrats.” This threat comes as the federal government has seen many staff members leave. Over 150,000 employees have quit, which is the biggest number in 80 years.
When a shutdown happens, many government workers are sent home without pay. Those who do “essential” jobs, like soldiers or border patrol agents, still have to work. However, they won’t get paid until Congress fixes the problem.
The last government shutdown was from 2018 to 2019. It lasted 35 days and cost the economy more than $3 billion.
Senator John Thune, a Republican leader, said the Senate will try another vote on Wednesday. Yet, there are no signs that either side will budge. It’s unclear how long this current shutdown will last.
Source: Reuters