On October 1st, 2025 the United States government formally shut down as a result of Congress’s failure to agree on a federal budget for the 2026 fiscal year. The shutdown has persisted throughout the month of October and officially entered its third week, making it the third longest government shutdown in U.S. history. As a result of the shutdown, hundreds of thousands of government workers have been furloughed and countless crucial government services have come to a halt. With no current plan for a resolution, the shutdown continues to worsen growing disillusionment with our government and Americans across the country have begun to experience its harmful effects.
The 2025 shutdown is not the first to take place in U.S. history. Since 1981, there have been four major shutdowns, with the latest occurring in Trump’s last presidency in 2018-2019 due to disputes over strengthening the U.S.-Mexico border.
A government shutdown typically begins when Congress fails to pass the required appropriation bills or short term funding measures before the start of the new fiscal year (October 1st- September 30th). As a result, government-funded services deemed unessential, such as the National Parks System and FDA inspections, are suspended or reduced, and federal employees are left on unpaid leave or expected to work without pay. Essential services including air traffic control, national defense, and emergency medical care continue, yet are still plagued by the shutdown and will experience sizable staffing shortages.
The 2025 shutdown in particular resulted from yet another partisan disagreement over terms of budget legislation for the new fiscal year, with the majority of disagreements involving healthcare entitlements. Democrats insist that a funding deal must include an extension of the ACA (Affordable Care Act) and a reversal of the Trump Administration’s cuts to Medicaid programs. These initiatives make health care both possible and affordable for millions of elderly, disabled, and low income Americans. Many Democrats also oppose the administration’s cutbacks to vital government health agencies, including the CDC and NIH, as well as medical research. Under U.S. law, the three branches of government must agree on spending plans and approve a division of tax revenue before funding laws are enacted. Republicans currently control both chambers of congress yet the Democrats in opposition hold negotiating power in the senate and are able to prevent the Republican majority from unilaterally passing legislation. Republicans proposed a short term spending plan known as a stopgap bill that did not include an extension of health care tax credits and was not approved by Democrats in the senate. Since the beginning of the shutdown, the senate has attempted to vote on funding decisions over 11 times, yet all have proved unsuccessful thus far.
While numerous government agencies are currently under suspension, services regarded as essential have continued even, but employees will not receive pay. US troops, the U.S. Postal Service, medical workers, Social Security employees, border protection agencies, and Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) have remained in operation. In contrast, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), Department of Education, and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) are some of the government funded agencies hit hardest by the shutdown, all burdened by the furlough of over 80% of their staff. Under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, government workers furloughed during the shutdown must receive back pay for their time that they were either not working or working without pay. Yet countless disputes and challenges will likely delay this process. Approximately 900,000 federal employees have been temporarily laid off, while members of Congress remain employed and paid at full salary, a convention criticised by many.
The government shutdown will remain in effect until Republicans and Democrats reach a compromise on disputes over the federal budget for this fiscal year. Unless a full appropriations package or a temporary spending resolution is approved while negotiations continue, government services and workers will continue to experience the negative effects of the shutdown. Americans who rely on these vital services in day to day life, such as communities that rely on tourism revenue from national parks will bear the brunt of the shutdown as it persists in full force.
When asked about his insights on the current government shutdown, AP US Government and Politics teacher Mr. Clow said, “It is odd and frustrating that the government can just ‘shut down’ over funding disagreements. The sad consequence of dysfunction like this is that it erodes Americans’ trust in our government, which unfortunately makes future shutdowns more likely. Fortunately for schools, since most of what we offer to students has to do with state and local funding, we won’t be as affected as, say, the National Parks Service.”
In recent years, Americans have seen firsthand how partisan disagreements hinder decisive decision making and deepen the division between political parties in our country. As the government shutdown persists, it is imperative that Americans fight for a compromise and acknowledge the footprint that this disruption will leave on government agencies, federal workers, and all Americans.
