'It will mean that we'll have to tighten our belts': Hundreds of thousands of workers sidelined as government shuts down
The government shutdown commenced at midnight after Congress could not reach a consensus on a funding plan, affecting federal operations nationwide.
The government shutdown commenced at midnight after Congress could not reach a consensus on a funding plan, affecting federal operations nationwide.
The government shutdown commenced at midnight after Congress could not reach a consensus on a funding plan, affecting federal operations nationwide.
The government shut down at midnight after Congress failed to agree on a funding plan for the new budget year, leaving federal operations in limbo.
Overnight, both and voted down their respective plans to extend the budget for seven weeks, with voting for the GOP plan and voting against both bills.
The shutdown could persist due to the lack of compromise on Democrats' demands to extend subsidies for private health insurance and retract .
, the Democratic minority leader, said, "We will continue to focus on health care, and the American people will be completely on our side."
President Donald Trump commented, "A lot of good can come down from shutdowns. We can get rid of a lot of things we didn't want, and they'd be Democrat things."
The , with essential services continuing while nonessential operations are halted. Tourist attractions like , and tours are suspended, while the.
Across the country, the , and Medicare and Medicaid services will continue, though staffing shortages may cause delays in services like mailing Medicare cards.
Social Security payments will continue, and air travel should not be affected as air traffic controllers and TSA agents are expected to remain on duty and receive retroactive pay.
However, the , affecting nearly 80,000 employees.
Federal employee Jenna Norton expressed concern, saying, "It's not ideal. It will mean that we'll have to tighten our belts. I think I am fortunate to have a husband who also has a job that is not in the federal government. If it's a week or two weeks, we'll be OK. If it's months, that will be trickier," Norton said.
The shutdown affects not only those in the nation's capital but also the roughly
The each day of the shutdown.
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