The U.S. government shutdown refers to the situation where Congress fails to pass budget bills or continuing resolutions on time, leading to the federal government closing non-essential agencies and suspending related employee salaries due to a funding gap. The core issue is the budget tug-of-war between the two parties and the constraints of congressional voting rules. The following are key details:
1. Core Mechanism
• The U.S. fiscal year ends on September 30. If new fiscal year appropriations or temporary appropriations (continuing resolutions) are not passed before October 1, the government will shut down.
• Senate appropriation bills require 60 votes to pass (currently 53 Republican seats, requiring Democratic support), and disagreements can easily lead to deadlock.
• During a shutdown, non-essential services are suspended, core positions (such as air traffic control and security screening) work without pay, and non-core employees are forced to take unpaid leave.
2. Recent Developments (as of 2026-01-28)
• Last shutdown: October 1, 2025 - November 12, 2025, lasted 43 days, the longest in history. On November 12, Trump signed a temporary appropriations bill, extending funding to January 30, 2026.
• New round of risks: Funding for most departments, including the Department of Homeland Security, will run out on January 30; following the Minnesota shooting incident, Democrats oppose a bill including funding for the Department of Homeland Security, making it difficult to reach the Senate's 60-vote threshold. The probability of a partial shutdown is high starting January 31.
3. Major Impacts
• Livelihood: Distribution of benefits such as food stamps is hindered, flight delays increase, and the livelihoods of federal employees are impacted.
• Economy: Delays in data releases, small business loans and farm subsidies are hindered, affecting business planning and economic activities.
• Governance: Exposes polarization between the two parties, trapped in a cycle of 'shutdown - temporary appropriations - shutdown' again.