Breaking News: US government shuts down!

The federal government in the United States (US) has officially shut down due to a budget impasse in the Senate.

Republicans first passed a temporary budget in the House of Representatives that would provide funding for the government until November 21. However, the proposal was blocked by Democratic opposition in the Senate. When the alternative bill presented by the Democrats also failed to find support from Republicans, the votes that lasted until midnight proved inconclusive, and the federal government shut down.

WHAT DOES THE SHUTDOWN MEAN?

The fiscal year in the US begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. If the budget for this period is not approved, the gap is filled with temporary budgets. However, in cases where a temporary budget is also not accepted, the federal government loses its spending authority, and activities outside of essential services are suspended.

Personnel working in the military, intelligence agencies, public hospitals, airports, and prisons continue their duties without pay. Employees who are not considered part of essential services are placed on indefinite leave.

DAILY COST OF 400 MILLION DOLLARS

The US Congressional Budget Office (CBO) announced that the government shutdown could force approximately 750 thousand employees to take unpaid leave and that the daily cost of retroactive salary payments could reach 400 million dollars.

THE LONGEST SHUTDOWN OCCURRED DURING THE TRUMP ERA

According to data from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, there have been 10 major shutdowns lasting three days or less and 4 long-term shutdowns since 1981. The last time the government shut down in the US was during Donald Trump's presidency.

The crisis, which began when Trump refused to sign a temporary budget that did not include funding for the Mexico border wall, lasted 35 days after the Democrats refused to back down, and it went down in history as the longest shutdown in the country's history.

News Source: 12punto