The United States government officially shut down on Wednesday, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal employees in uncertain financial situations. According to the Congressional Budget Office, about 750,000 federal employees are expected to be furloughed each day throughout the shutdown. In addition to that, hundreds of thousands more must continue working without pay until funding is restored, based on estimates from federal agencies. These essential employees include critical staff such as air traffic controllers and border patrol officers.
The shutdown began early Wednesday after the Senate failed to pass a short-term funding bill that would have kept the government open through November 20. The measure fell short of the 60 votes required, passing only by a 55-45 margin. All but two Democratic senators opposed the bill. Led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Democrats pushed for an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies and for the reversal of about $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts included in President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.
President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance have responded to the impasse with threats of permanent job cuts. The Office of Management and Budget recently directed federal agencies to prepare layoff plans for programs “not consistent with the president’s priorities” if the funding lapse continued, according to a memo published by PBS. Labor unions have already filed lawsuits against the move, claiming that it violates federal law.
