Breaking News: US senators were unable to pass a final-minute spending bill to avert a government shutdown Tuesday night, virtually assuring that money will be depleted at midnight. Major segments of the US government are now bound for a shutdown in fewer than four hours after proposals by Republicans and Democrats both fell short of votes. That would initiate some, but not all, US government services coming to a temporary standstill beginning Wednesday morning.
A Democratic proposal to finance the government did not pass, with 53 senators opposing it and 47 in favour, largely along party lines. The bill required 60 of the 100 US senators to pass in order to continue keeping the government open. Another Republican proposal failed to pass the 60-senate requirement, with the vote standing at 55 in favour of and 45 opposed to the bill. President Donald Trump has vowed to make widespread permanent dismissals of federal employees in the event of a shutdown.
Both Parties Accuse Each Other as the Clock Strikes Midnight Deadline
Republican Senator John Thune indicates Republicans won’t be held hostage by the Democrats, and the Senate’s senior Democrat Chuck Schumer indicates Republicans lie about the situation. Schumer indicated that after Democratic efforts collapsed, Democrats are still willing to get to work to negotiate an authentically bipartisan deal to keep the government running but want to address the healthcare system now since the matter can’t wait.
Ultimately, two Democrats and a single independent who votes along with Democrats defected and voted with Republicans in a failed attempt to pass a bill funding the government. Nevada Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto faces re-election next year in a state won by Donald Trump in 2024. In her explanation for her vote, she cited concern regarding the economic cost a government shutdown would exact on her state. She made a plea for compromise, but with the deadline at midnight and both sides attempting to place and evade blame, any sort of compromise appears far out of reach.
Essential Workers Keep Working, But Many Federal Employees Remain Unpaid
Typically, in a shutdown, necessary workers work as usual, some on an unpaid basis for now, but non-essential government workers are temporarily placed on unpaid leave. One firefighter and single parent of three informed the BBC that he might not be able to pay rent if the shutdown occurs. Pundits estimate roughly 40% of the federal government workforce, over 800,000 individuals, to be placed on unpaid leave due to the shutdown.
Moderate Republican Senator Susan Collins was concerned about the effect of a possible shutdown on America’s national parks. Her home state of Maine houses Acadia National Park, which will have its gates blocked if there is a government shutdown. Collins added that Acadia National Park is at the height of its visiting season due to the fall colours and will not have the personnel to accommodate all the visitors, describing it as one of the byproducts of this unnecessary shutdown.
Trump Says Good Can Come From Shutdowns and Threatens Firings
President Donald Trump addressed the White House and reiterated that he would be implementing mass layoffs of government workers in the case of a shutdown. He attributed the shutdown to Democrats and stated that they would be firing lots of people who would be hugely impacted. Trump said the last thing they want to do is shut it down, but a lot of good can come from shutdowns because they can get rid of a lot of things they didn’t want, and they’d be Democrat things.
The Library of Congress announced that, effective 12:01 am Wednesday, all Library of Congress buildings will be closed to the public and researchers, and all public events will be cancelled. Analysts place the cost of the shutdown at potentially shaving as much as 0.2 percentage points from US economic growth per week it continues, but the economy generally makes up most of that lost activity once the shutdown is over. But if Trump follows through on his threat of massive firings, the harm might be more lasting.
News At Glance
- Both Democratic and Republican spending bills collapsed in the Senate, ensuring a shutdown effectively at midnight
- The Democrat offer received 47 votes and the Republican offer received 55 votes, both lacking the required 60
- Around 800,000 federal employees are expected to be placed on furlough, and critical services are still ongoing
- Trump warns of en masse irreversible terminations of government workers and states that good can result from shutdowns
FAQs
- When will the government shut down?
At midnight Tuesday (12:01 am Wednesday), when the funds expire.
- How many votes were needed to pass the funding bills?
Each bill needed 60 votes in the 100-member Senate to pass.
3. How many federal workers will be affected?
About 800,000 workers, roughly 40% of the federal workforce, will be put on unpaid leave.
4. What services will continue during the shutdown?
Essential services like law enforcement, air traffic control, and in-hospital medical care will continue.
5. What did Trump threaten to do?
Trump threatened to make wholesale, irreversible terminations of federal employees if the shutdown occurs.
Stay updated with the latest news, innovations, and economic insights at Inspirepreneur Magazine.
