Washington, Oct 27: The United States government shutdown entered its 27th day on Monday, marking the second-longest funding lapse in the nation’s history as Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked over a spending package, with no breakthrough in sight.
The shutdown, which began late last month after Congress failed to pass a funding bill, has furloughed hundreds of thousands of federal employees and severely disrupted public services nationwide. The Senate is scheduled to reconvene on Monday but is not expected to vote immediately on the House-passed measure to resume funding.
The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest union representing federal workers, urged lawmakers to “pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today,” warning that prolonged inaction would worsen the hardship faced by millions. Many federal employees have already missed their first full paycheck, triggering growing anxiety over the economic fallout.
House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed uncertainty over whether members of the U.S. military would receive their pay this week. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture warned that federal food aid under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will cease on November 1 if funding is not restored, threatening food security for over 40 million Americans.
Although essential services like air traffic control, border protection, and federal law enforcement continue to function, employees in these sectors are working without pay. National parks, museums, and research facilities have either closed or reduced operations.
The funding impasse revolves around disputes over healthcare spending. Republicans have accused Democrats of demanding subsidies for illegal immigrants — a claim Democrats have firmly denied. Democrats argue they are only seeking to reverse healthcare cuts affecting American citizens.
Despite controlling both chambers, Republicans remain eight votes short in the Senate, prolonging the stalemate and deepening the political crisis.
