The U.S. federal government has experienced a shutdown following senators' inability to reach an agreement on a final funding bill, leading to the closure of non-essential services and putting as many as 750,000 federal employees on unpaid leave.
Key staff, such as police and armed forces members, must remain on duty, often without prompt compensation.
The stalemate occurred following the Republican-majority Senate's inability to obtain the 60 votes required to approve a temporary funding bill, referred to as a clean continuing resolution (CR).
Having just 53 Republican seats, the party required Democratic backing but encountered resistance as Democrats demanded assurances regarding healthcare policies, such as financial aid for low-income insurance and an undoing of Trump-era Medicaid reductions.
Earlier, President Donald Trump warned of "irreversible" large-scale dismissals of federal employees if the shutdown proceeded, according to the BBC, with Democrats criticizing the administration for its lack of capability.
Senate Republican Whip John Thune stated the party would not be "held captive," while Democratic leader Chuck Schumer claimed Republicans were deceiving the American public.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that over 200,000 security staff will be working without compensation, referring to the issue as a "Democrat-imposed crisis."
CBS News reported that as many as 258,000 Department of Homeland Security staff may be excluded from being placed on unpaid leave.
Air travel is also anticipated to experience pressure. Airlines for America, an industry association representing airlines, has cautioned that un-paid or laid-off employees might hinder operations, referencing the 2018-19 government shutdown, when a lack of staff and illness-related absences led to airport delays.
The immediate political consequences followed. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Trump, calling him "a very weak man who can't even manage stairs," while House Democrats, such as Bill Foster and Joe Morelle, blamed Republicans for not fulfilling their responsibility to govern, even though they held power in the White House and Congress.
Republicans responded by claiming that Democrats were "prioritizing undocumented immigrants" and "threatening the paychecks of American workers."
The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the shutdown would result in $400 million in daily lost income for employees who are furloughed.
Congress members will keep getting their wages, as required by the Constitution, while service members have to work without compensation until the government resumes operations.
Government shutdowns have occurred more often in recent years. During Trump's initial presidency, there were three shutdowns, including the longest standoff lasting 35 days in 2018-19.
Bill Clinton experienced a 21-day conflict in 1995, whereas Barack Obama dealt with a 16-day government closure in 2013 concerning the Affordable Care Act.
Ronald Reagan was responsible for eight short government shutdowns in the 1980s.
The ongoing crisis will continue until Congress reaches a decision on a new financial agreement, with both parties accusing each other of keeping the deadlock alive.
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