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The United States government has officially entered its first shutdown in nearly seven years.
The lack of agreement between Democrats and Republicans on the fiscal budget for 2026 has led to a situation of institutional paralysis that threatens to have tangible consequences for millions of people in the country.
From the first minute on Wednesday, the federal administration officially ran out of funds to operate fully. The White House has blamed the Democrats for the shutdown.
Congress failed to approve a temporary financing plan on time, which would have kept basic services running while budget negotiations continued.
The conflict revolves around a dispute over health subsidies and spending cuts driven by President Donald Trump, who, in his second term, has aimed to aggressively reduce the size of the State.
"Only the president can do this. We know that he is in charge here," denounced the Democratic Senate leader, Chuck Schumer.
Trump, for his part, has chosen to escalate the conflict.
Instead of seeking consensus, he published a mocking video of the Democratic leaders and declared: “They lost the elections by a landslide and they do not change.”
What happens during a closure?
When the federal government runs out of funds, agencies must temporarily halt their non-essential activities.
This entails unpaid leaves for hundreds of thousands of employees, suspension of public services, and widespread disruptions.
During the longest shutdown in the country's history -which took place in 2018-2019 also under Trump- 340,000 employees were furloughed, while another 460,000 continued to work without receiving pay until the end of the shutdown.
Now, the situation could be even more drastic.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the White House has suggested not only suspending employees but also permanently eliminating their positions.
“We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible, harmful, and irreversible for them [the Democrats], like leaving a large number of people unemployed,” Trump threatened.
What services are being maintained and which ones are being frozen?
Essential services such as the border patrol, air traffic controllers, armed forces, and postal service will continue to operate.
However, the employees deemed "exempt" will work without pay until further notice.
The services most vulnerable to closure include:
Food assistance programs.
-Federal funding for preschool education.
-Disbursement of student loans.
-Food inspections.
-Operation of national parks.
-Renewal of health benefits and issuance of cards.
In the case of veterans, Medicare, and Social Security, payments continue because they are funded through independent sources. However, the administration of these benefits may experience delays.
How could this closure affect you?
If you are a federal employee, you could go without pay for weeks, even if you are considered essential.
If you depend on federal benefits such as Medicaid, SNAP, or student loans, you may face delays, interruptions, or temporary loss of access.
If you work in sectors related to tourism, education, or public health, you may see a reduction in your workload or income.
And if you are part of a community with a high dependence on the federal government, the effects will be even more noticeable.
Unequal impact: The most vulnerable communities
The closure does not affect everyone equally. Communities with a high reliance on federal jobs, or with a larger proportion of elderly adults and low-income populations, will be the hardest hit.
For example, the Department of Education warned that a prolonged delay could: “Dramatically reduce the cash flow of school districts, universities, and vocational rehabilitation agencies.”
And in the case of the FDA, responsible for ensuring food safety: "They would be reduced to emergency responses... the initiatives for the prevention of foodborne illnesses."
The museums of the Smithsonian Institution, including the National Zoo, have closed their doors.
Meanwhile, the plans for the hiring and training of new air traffic controllers have been suspended, which could impact air traffic in the coming weeks.
More than a budget dispute: A political showdown
For analysts, this is not just another confrontation over the budget. At stake are the political and philosophical priorities of two opposing visions of government.
While the Democrats demand to maintain health subsidies and halt cuts to Medicaid and scientific programs, the Republicans have opted to prolong the impasse to force new concessions.
"We will not support a Republican partisan spending bill that continues to destroy healthcare for everyday Americans," said Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader of the House.
The situation is tense within the Democratic Party itself, as its leaders are facing internal pressures to stand firm against what many consider to be a strategy of attrition by Trump.
Senator Gary Peters stated, "A lot can happen in a short time in this place."
A weakened workforce and more layoffs on the way
The Trump administration has significantly diminished the size of the federal apparatus since coming back to power.
Under the banner of government efficiency, entire departments have already been eliminated, and with this new closure, the threat now extends to thousands more employees.
“A shutdown will be handled appropriately, but it is something that can be avoided if Senate Democrats agree to the bill approved by the House,” said Trump’s budget director, Russ Vought, according to a report by the BBC.
But from the other side, the perception is that there is no willingness to negotiate, but rather to impose.
"We have less than a day to resolve this and Trump is trolling on the Internet like a 10-year-old," lamented Schumer.
Frequently Asked Questions about the U.S. Government Shutdown in 2025
What is a government shutdown in the U.S.?
A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to approve the necessary budget to fund government agencies, which forces the temporary cessation of non-essential government activities. During a shutdown, many federal employees are sent home without pay, and only essential services continue to operate, though they do not receive compensation until the situation is resolved.
What are the causes of the government shutdown in 2025?
The 2025 shutdown was caused by the lack of agreement between Democrats and Republicans on the fiscal budget for 2026. The dispute focused on health subsidies and the spending cuts proposed by President Donald Trump, who aims to reduce the size of government. The White House has blamed the Democrats for the shutdown, while the Democrats accuse the Republicans of prioritizing policies that harm healthcare and other essential services.
Who are the most affected by the U.S. government shutdown?
Communities with a high dependence on federal jobs, as well as those with a larger proportion of older adults and low-income populations, are the most affected. Additionally, federal employees may experience unpaid salaries, and individuals relying on federal benefits face delays and interruptions. Sectors such as education, public health, and tourism are also impacted by the reduction of services and economic uncertainty.
What services continue to operate during the government shutdown?
During the shutdown, essential services such as the border patrol, air traffic controllers, postal service, and military forces continue to operate, although employees will not receive their salaries until a new budget is approved. Other services, such as national parks, food assistance programs, and preschool education, are more severely impacted and may be halted or significantly reduced.
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