A government shutdown is imminent as lawmakers clash over federal funding priorities, with neither side yielding as the midnight deadline approaches, according to Reuters.
The standoff centers on a partisan dispute: Senate Republicans propose a stopgap funding measure, but Democrats demand inclusion of health subsidy extensions. Without a resolution, funding for a quarter of the government’s operations will lapse, crippling services and forcing furloughs.
President Donald Trump has sent mixed signals, with Democrats arguing he is open to supporting health subsidies, while Republicans, represented by Vice President JD Vance, accuse Democrats of leveraging the shutdown. Any last-minute deal must also pass the Republican-controlled House, which is scheduled to meet only after the deadline.
Shutdowns are recurring in U.S. politics, with the longest lasting from 2018 to 2019, spanning 35 days. This standoff centers on $1.7 trillion in discretionary spending, while most of the $7 trillion budget remains unaffected. With the 2026 midterms approaching, Democrats are seeking a policy win, but some warn that risks to workers and the economy may outweigh any political gains.
