BREAKING: U.S. Government Shuts Down as Trump, Congress Fail to Agree on Funding

The deadlock comes as Democrats demanded health care provisions while Republicans refused to negotiate beyond a short-term bill.

President Trump’s Republican Party controls both chambers of Congress, but 60 votes are required in the Senate to pass a funding bill.

Both a Republican proposal and a Democratic proposal were rejected just hours before the shutdown deadline.

This marks the first shutdown since 2018 under Trump’s first term, which lasted 34 days and became the longest in U.S. history.

About 750,000 federal employees will be furloughed daily, while others deemed essential will work without pay.

Members of Congress and Donald Trump will continue receiving salaries despite the shutdown.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, back pay for furloughed workers will cost taxpayers $400 million.

National parks will remain partially open, but Social Security and Medicare benefits could face new applicant delays.

Trump suggested Tuesday he could use the shutdown to fire “many” federal employees.

Democrats insisted that health care funding, including Obamacare subsidies, must be secured to avoid rising premiums.

Republican leaders offered a stopgap bill extending funding until November 21, but without Democratic priorities.

Democrats vowed to oppose any “clean” funding bill that excluded their provisions.

“The cracks in the Democrats are already showing,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune.

“There are Democrats who are very unhappy with the situation. … Tonight was evidence that there is some movement there.”

Thune has repeatedly accused Democrats of taking the government “hostage.”

But Senate Democratic leaders have promised to hold firm until their demands are met.

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