Summary
The U.S. government has shut down because Congress did not agree on funding. Despite this, passport services mostly continue as usual because they are funded differently. President Trump and Democrats are in a disagreement about reopening the government.
Key Facts
- The U.S. government shutdown happened because Congress failed to pass a funding bill.
- The shutdown is due to a disagreement between Republicans and Democrats over health care subsidies.
- Passport services in the U.S. and overseas remain mostly unaffected by the shutdown, as they are funded by fees.
- The U.S. Postal Service, which helps with passport applications, is also not affected by the shutdown.
- President Trump has expressed willingness to negotiate but wants the government reopened first.
- Thousands of federal employees have been furloughed, meaning they are temporarily not working and not getting paid.
- Democrats have expressed readiness to negotiate on health care once the government reopens.
