Summary
The US government has shut down because the Senate failed to pass a spending bill. This shutdown has stopped many federal operations. There are several ways the shutdown might end, including some Democrats breaking ranks or the entire Democratic party backing down from the fight.
Key Facts
- The US government shut down as the Senate did not pass a spending bill.
- This is the first shutdown in almost seven years.
- Federal operations are currently reduced due to the lack of funding.
- Two Democrats and one Democrat-independent supported the Republican proposal to keep the government running until November.
- Democrats from battleground states could face pressure due to the political impact of the shutdown.
- Republican Senate leader John Thune plans to hold more funding votes to sway Democrats.
- Government employees, many of whom are Democrats, are directly impacted by the shutdown.
- Public services disruption and economic impact might increase pressure on Democrats to end the shutdown.
