Did the Government Shut Down Last Night? Inside the Midnight Collapse, Political Blame Game, and What It Means for Americans
Did the government shut down last night? Yes, at midnight the U.S. federal government officially closed. Here’s what happened, what services are impacted, and how it affects citizens.
Did the Government Shut Down Last Night?
Yes, the U.S. government officially entered a shutdown at 12:01 a.m. after Congress failed to pass a short-term funding bill. Despite last-minute negotiations, both Republican and Democratic proposals were rejected in the Senate, making the lapse in federal appropriations unavoidable.
The White House Office of Management and Budget had already instructed federal agencies to prepare their contingency plans hours before the deadline, signaling that the shutdown was inevitable.
How the Shutdown Unfolded
The series of events that led to this moment reveals a deep political deadlock.
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The House and Senate both considered competing resolutions but failed to agree.
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The Senate blocked both party proposals in the final hours.
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By midnight, the federal government’s funding authority expired.
This left federal agencies scrambling to implement shutdown procedures that had been outlined in advance.
What Services Are Still Operating?
Although funding expired, several essential services continue to operate. Key functions that remain active include:
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National security and defense: Military operations, border security, and law enforcement continue.
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Mandatory programs: Social Security and Medicare payments are unaffected since they operate outside the annual budget.
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Critical health and safety services: Certain emergency medical and disaster response systems stay functional.
What Services Have Stopped or Been Reduced
Many parts of government are now frozen or working in a limited capacity.
Federal Workforce Impact
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Up to 750,000 federal employees have been furloughed.
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Daily compensation losses are estimated at $400 million.
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Nonessential workers must stay home without pay until Congress resolves the funding issue.
Agencies and Programs Paused
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Public health research programs
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Certain labor and administrative services
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National parks and museums (open in limited ways, with fewer services available)
The table below highlights the contrast between what continues and what stops:
| Continues | Stopped or Limited |
|---|---|
| Military operations | Public health research programs |
| Social Security & Medicare | Labor and administrative offices |
| Emergency law enforcement | National parks visitor services |
| Border security | Federal worker pay (furloughed) |
Political Blame and Fallout
The shutdown has triggered an intense blame game. The Trump administration pointed fingers at Democrats, describing them as the “radical left” for obstructing negotiations. Even the Department of Housing and Urban Development posted a public banner accusing Democrats of blocking funding over costly demands, a move critics say violates federal ethics rules.
Democrats responded by stressing that Republicans hold control of the White House, House, and Senate, insisting that responsibility for the shutdown falls on the ruling party.
Adding to the drama, federal worker unions have filed legal challenges over the administration’s handling of furloughs and threats of permanent layoffs.
Did the Government Shut Down Last Night? What Happens Next
The shutdown will remain in effect until Congress passes, and the president signs, a new funding bill. With both sides firmly divided on spending priorities, especially regarding healthcare subsidies and budget cuts, the timeline for reopening the government remains uncertain.
Economists warn that if the shutdown lasts beyond a few days, the financial toll will increase dramatically, affecting not only federal employees but also contractors, businesses, and services tied to federal operations.
For now, Americans are left with uncertainty, limited government services, and growing frustration as political leaders struggle to reach common ground.
