The United States government entered a shutdown on Wednesday after Democrats and Republicans in Congress failed to agree on a funding bill to keep federal operations running.
In the American system, the funding bill is a critical appropriation measure that allows the government to function. When lawmakers miss the deadline for its passage, the result is a shutdown, with several federal agencies forced to close and thousands of workers furloughed.
The latest shutdown marks another episode under President Donald Trump, following the last in 2019. This year’s standoff stems from Democrats’ demand to extend expiring health care subsidies and reverse Medicaid cuts introduced as part of Mr. Trump’s earlier tax reforms.
Both parties have exchanged blame over the impasse, warning that the shutdown could severely disrupt government services and cause job losses.
President Trump, however, suggested that his administration might take advantage of the shutdown to implement irreversible measures targeting Democratic priorities.
“We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible, that are bad for them and irreversible by them, like cutting vast numbers of people out, cutting things that they like, cutting programs that they like,” Mr. Trump said.
In response, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused the president of holding Americans hostage for political gain.
“Trump admitted himself that he is using Americans as political pawns. He is admitting that he is doing the firing of people. Democrats did not want a shutdown. We stand ready to work with Republicans to find a bipartisan compromise, and the ball is in their court,” Schumer said.
