A partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government began at midnight Eastern Time, marking the fourth such event during Donald Trump’s presidency, BBC’s Russian Service reported on September 30.  The latest budget deadlock reportedly stems from the Senate’s failure to pass either of two proposed funding bills.

On Tuesday, the Democratic proposal was rejected first due to the party’s lack of majority in the Senate. A Republican-backed bill also failed to advance, despite the GOP controlling both chambers of Congress.  Republicans were unable to secure the 60 votes needed to bypass procedural hurdles, according to BBC’s Russian Service.

As a result, hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been placed on unpaid leave indefinitely. A memorandum from the White House Office of Management and Budget confirmed the shutdown and placed blame on Democrats. “The affected agencies must now implement their orderly shutdown plans,” the memo stated. “How long the Democrats will maintain their unreasonable position remains unclear, making the shutdown’s duration difficult to predict.”

Political context: healthcare and budget at the core of dispute

While budget standoffs are not uncommon in U.S. politics, this round has proven especially contentious. For the past nine months, the Trump administration has been actively cutting federal spending and reducing the size of the civil service.

The primary point of contention is healthcare funding. Democrats used the budget negotiations to push for the continuation of tax credits that make health insurance affordable for millions. These subsidies are at risk of expiring. The Democrats are also fighting proposed budget cuts to key agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Medicaid program.

Although the House of Representatives — where Republicans hold a majority — approved a temporary funding bill, the Senate failed to move it forward due to Democratic opposition.

What's next?

With the shutdown now in effect, numerous federal departments must halt operations, leaving many employees without pay. It remains uncertain how long the deadlock will last or whether Congress can reach a compromise swiftly.

This is the first U.S. government shutdown since 2018 — which also occurred during Trump's presidency.

Failed negotiations and political stakes

Ahead of the shutdown, President Trump met with congressional leaders from both parties, but the talks ended without progress. Vice President J.D. Vance later noted that the risk of a shutdown remained high, as the Trump administration appeared unwilling to make major concessions.

Sources close to the administration suggest the White House is betting that public opinion will mostly blame Democrats — portraying them as making political demands in exchange for passing the budget. A similar strategy was used during previous shutdowns.

Democrats, on the other hand, believe their defense of healthcare subsidies will resonate with voters and frame them as advocates for affordable healthcare.