Federal workers face uncertainty as US government shutdown disrupts services nationwide.
Efforts to end the US government shutdown collapsed Wednesday after Democrats walked out of negotiations with President Donald Trump, leaving federal agencies scrambling and nearly 750,000 workers facing unpaid furloughs.
Funding expired at midnight, forcing agencies to wind down services. Essential workers such as border agents and the military will work without pay, while air safety unions warned of risks as more than 2,300 air traffic controllers were sent home.
The deadlock stems from Democrats’ push to secure extended health care subsidies for low-income families, a demand Republicans have rejected. Senate votes are now adjourned until Friday, prolonging uncertainty.
Workers Affected
The White House has warned that “imminent” job cuts are likely. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said agencies are identifying where layoffs can be made, while the Department of Energy announced it would terminate clean energy projects, mainly in Democratic states.
The Department of Transportation also froze nearly $18 billion in New York infrastructure projects, a move Governor Kathy Hochul described as “political payback.”
What’s at Stake
Shutdowns are not new in Washington, but this one is seen as especially high-stakes. Trump is pushing hard-right cuts to government programs, while Democrats argue the standoff threatens everyday services from national parks to permit offices.
“I think our government needs to learn how to work together for the people,” said Terese Johnston, a retired tour guide from California caught up in the shutdown while visiting Washington.
Political Blame Game
Vice President JD Vance accused Democrats of holding the process hostage, saying they insisted on “billions of dollars of funding for health care for illegal aliens,” a claim Democrats strongly deny.
With no compromise in sight, the political brinkmanship leaves federal workers, states, and millions of Americans facing disruption.
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