US Government Partially Shuts Down Due to Failure to Pass Budget Bill

Darwin, October 1 — The US government has partially shut down after last-minute efforts in the Senate failed. The deadline for government spending expired at 12:01 AM local time on Wednesday, as Democrats and Republicans rejected each other’s proposed budget bills.

This information was reported by the American media outlet The Hill.

Since 1980, the US government has partially shut down 15 times. However, this time the situation may be more complex and different, as former President Donald Trump has threatened to use the shutdown as an opportunity to drastically reduce government spending and workforce.

Although this shutdown is not the longest in US history, the longest shutdown occurred from late 2018 to early 2019 during Trump’s first term, lasting 34 days.

According to Al Jazeera’s report, during a conversation with reporters at the White House, Trump said, “We may take actions that will harm the Democrats and they won’t be able to reverse them later — such as laying off many employees and cutting programs they favor.”

He also said, “Some positive things may come out of the government shutdown.”

What Will Be Closed and What Will Continue

Due to the shutdown, some government services deemed “non-essential” will be closed — such as economic data releases and small business loan approvals. However, emergency services like law enforcement agencies, the military, and air traffic controllers will continue working, although they will not be paid during this period.

Social security and food assistance programs will remain operational.

Trump’s Threats and Criticism

In previous shutdowns, government employees typically received back pay after temporary furloughs, but Trump has stated that he may permanently lay off many workers this time.

Trump said, “And they will all be Democrats.”

This statement has been strongly criticized by Richard Painter, the chief ethics lawyer in the White House during former President George W. Bush’s administration. He told Al Jazeera, “Trump’s threats are part of his usual show of power.” He added, “Due to civil service protection laws, Congress has not approved the dismissal of government workers at will.”

Senate Budget Bill Failure and Blame Game

For many weeks, the two parties have been in fierce conflict over government spending. Democrats rejected the Republicans’ proposed bill because it did not include any increase in healthcare funding and maintained Medicaid cuts introduced in Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act.’

On the other hand, Republicans said healthcare discussions should be conducted separately.

At the last moment, Republicans introduced a bill to authorize government spending until November 21. However, this bill fell short by 5 votes, securing only 55 votes out of the required 60. Democrats John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and independent Senator Angus King voted in favor.

The Democrats’ counter-proposal, which allocated spending until the end of October and included an additional trillion-dollar budget for healthcare, also failed with a vote of 47-53.

Afterwards, both parties began blaming each other.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said, “Republicans are crippling the entire country instead of resolving the healthcare crisis.”

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, “Republicans are blocking this bill just to cause suffering to ordinary people.”

Senate Republican Leader John Thune said, “Everything is being done unnecessarily, just for their political gain.”