By Amofokhai Williams
The United States (U.S.) government officially entered a shutdown at 12:01 a.m. EDT on October 1, 2025, marking the first such closure in nearly seven years.
The shutdown resulted from a partisan deadlock between Republicans and Democrats over federal spending, healthcare subsidies, and foreign aid.
Despite last-minute negotiations, Congress failed to pass a funding bill, leading to the suspension of many federal operations.
The immediate cause of the shutdown in the U.S. was the Senate’s rejection of a House-passed Republican stopgap funding bill.
Democrats demanded the inclusion of provisions such as extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits, reversing Medicaid cuts, and restoring foreign aid funding.
These demands were estimated to cost approximately $1 trillion. Republicans opposed these additions, arguing they were unrelated to the immediate need for government funding. As a result, the Senate failed to pass the bill, and the government entered a shutdown
Impact on Federal Workers and Services
Approximately 750,000 federal employees are expected to be furloughed, with an additional 700,000 working without pay.
The U.S. Congressional Budget Office warns that the shutdown could cost about $400 million daily in lost compensation, potentially harming households and dampening consumer spending.
Essential services such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Homeland Security will continue, but staffing shortages may delay services.
The Smithsonian museums remain open for now, though national park access is under debate. However, agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention face partial or full suspensions of operations
Public sentiment is largely opposed to the shutdown. A New York Times/Siena poll released in late September 2025 reveals that 65% of registered voters oppose a government shutdown, with only 27% supporting one if Democrats’ demands are not met.
Among Democrats, 43% oppose a shutdown, while 47% support it under such circumstances. A large majority of Republicans (92%) and 59% of independents are against a shutdown regardless of negotiations outcomes.
President Donald Trump and congressional leaders have engaged in a war of words over the shutdown.
Trump has threatened to permanently dismiss federal workers if Congress fails to reach a deal to prevent the shutdown.
He has also warned that Democrats would be most affected by the shutdown, suggesting that employees working in programmes “not consistent with the President’s priorities” will be cut if the government shuts down.
With no resolution in sight, economic repercussions are expected to mount, especially if the closure persists. Further votes on both funding bills are scheduled, though resolution remains uncertain.
The situation draws comparisons to past shutdowns, notably the 2018-2019 closure under Trump’s first term.
