Summary
The U.S. federal government is close to a shutdown because Congress is not agreeing on a funding plan. Republicans and Democrats are at odds over health care funding and tax credits. If a shutdown happens, many federal employees will stop working, while essential workers will continue without pay.
Key Facts
- A government shutdown is near due to a lack of agreement in Congress.
- Republicans propose a temporary funding plan until November 21.
- Democrats want this plan to include changes to Medicaid and extend health care tax credits.
- Currently, neither side is willing to compromise.
- Federal agencies must stop operations during a funding lapse, leading to worker furloughs.
- Essential workers continue working but are unpaid during the shutdown.
- During a past shutdown, 340,000 out of 800,000 federal workers were furloughed.
- Critical services, like FBI, CIA, air traffic control, and the Armed Forces, will continue during a shutdown.
