US government shuts down after Senate fails to pass spending bill

"Funding to keep the federal government running expires after Republicans and Democrats fail to reach a deal. The United States government has partially shut down after last-ditch efforts by lawmakers to pass a spending bill failed. Funding to keep the federal government running expired at 00:01 EDT (04:01 GMT) on Wednesday after Democrats and Republicans in the US Senate rejected rival stopgap proposals."

"Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump warned that he could use the shutdown to take actions that are bad for Democrats. 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 programmes that they like, Trump said, adding that a lot of good can come from government shutdowns."

"The shutdown, the first such funding lapse since 2018, means that some government services deemed to be non-essential will come to a halt, including the publication of key economic data and loan approvals for small businesses. Essential workers, such as law enforcement officers, military personnel and air traffic controllers, will remain on the job, but will go without pay for the duration of the shutdown. Social security and food assistance will continue to be paid out."

Funding to keep the federal government running expired at 00:01 EDT after Democrats and Republicans in the US Senate rejected rival stopgap proposals. The partial shutdown is the first funding lapse since 2018. Non-essential government services will halt, including publication of key economic data and loan approvals for small businesses. Essential workers, including law enforcement, military personnel and air traffic controllers, will remain on duty but will go without pay for the duration. Social Security and food assistance will continue to be paid. President Donald Trump warned he could use the shutdown to make irreversible cuts and remove large numbers of federal employees.

Read at www.aljazeera.com