As the fiscal year 2025 drew to a close, the U.S. government plunged into a shutdown. Despite the commencement of the 2026 fiscal year, the failure to pass a budget bill has brought the entire country to a standstill. The Senate's last-ditch effort to pass the bill proved futile, consequently pushing America to the brink of a government shutdown.
The House of Representatives had passed the Republican-proposed budget bill on September 19. This budget was intended to support the Democrats' government expenditures until November 21. However, the bill failed to secure approval in the Senate. Meanwhile, the 2025 fiscal year was set to expire at midnight on Wednesday.
Now, the Democrats are demanding an increase in health insurance subsidies and the cancellation of Medicaid cuts as part of the budget compromise. They allege that the Republican budget proposal would make access to healthcare services even more challenging.
On the other hand, Republicans contend that the Democrats are not coming to any constructive compromise. They remain unwilling to concede on these demands.
In light of this situation, Vice President JD Vance has commented that America is heading towards a shutdown. He stated, "The country is now on the path to a shutdown due to the Democrats' intransigent position." Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer had previously remarked, "Whether there will be a shutdown now depends on the Republicans' decision."
Republicans hold a majority in both chambers of the U.S. Congress. However, they lack the necessary 60 votes in the Senate to pass any bill. Consequently, the failure to reach a bipartisan agreement has made the shutdown unavoidable.
Previously, the country had fallen victim to a shutdown in 2019. Now, after six years, America once again faces the specter of a government shutdown. The shutdown could result in partial or complete closure of government offices, parks, projects, and numerous services.
In America, a 'shutdown' signifies that the government is unable to continue its operations due to lack of funds. The treasury lacks the money for projects or to pay government employees' salaries. This 'shutdown' in America is set to commence from Wednesday itself. As a result, departments not classified under essential services will be closed. Hundreds of thousands of government employees will temporarily cease to receive their wages.
However, the U.S. military, border patrol, and air traffic controllers will have to continue working. They will not receive their salaries until the 'shutdown' ends. Many department employees will be temporarily laid off. The relevant agency will stop lending money for small businesses. Consequently, ordinary Americans will find themselves in dire straits. In 2018, during Donald Trump's first term, the American administration had come to a standstill for 35 days. To date, that remains the longest shutdown in American history.
