U.S. Government Shuts Down Over Funding Deadlock

A federal government shutdown began at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass a continuing resolution to fund operations through Nov. 21, with lawmakers deadlocked largely over whether to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits and other health-care spending. The lapse will leave millions of federal employees unpaid and slow or halt many agency functions, though Social Security payments and VA medical centers will remain operational. Transportation operations face immediate strain: more than 13,000 air traffic controllers must work without pay, roughly 3,500 aviation support staff could be furloughed, and the TSA says about 61,000 of its 64,000 employees are exempt and will continue screening. Officials in multiple states warned of local impacts, including thousands of affected federal civilians in some states and reduced access to services. Lawmakers exchanged partisan blame — Republicans said Democrats blocked a “clean” funding bill and demanded $1.5 trillion in new spending, while Democrats said Republicans refused to extend ACA subsidies — and additional votes and negotiations were expected as leaders warned the shutdown could deepen economic harm and service disruptions until a deal is reached.