Partisan Disagreements Force Shutdown of U.S. Government
(MENAFN) The United States federal government officially entered a shutdown early Wednesday after Congress failed to approve a funding bill, ending nearly seven years without such a lapse in government operations.
The deadlock stems from deep partisan disagreements, halting key functions and forcing hundreds of thousands of federal workers into unpaid furloughs. Essential public services could face disruptions or delays, and the release of economic indicators may be postponed.
The shutdown was triggered just hours after the U.S. Senate failed to advance a temporary funding measure aimed at extending government operations. The Republican-backed continuing resolution fell short of the 60-vote threshold needed for passage after Democrats voted against it.
At the heart of the impasse is a dispute over healthcare provisions. Democrats are insisting on expanded benefits, including prolonging the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced subsidies set to lapse at year’s end. They’re also calling for restored healthcare access under the ACA for certain legally present immigrants, such as asylum seekers and refugees.
Republicans have rejected these provisions and have instead advocated for maintaining current spending levels temporarily to buy more time for negotiations.
As the shutdown took effect, both parties intensified the blame game. On Tuesday, lawmakers on both sides accused one another of forcing a “shutdown.”
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