U.S. government enters shutdown after budget impasse on Capitol Hill
發佈日期: 2025-10-01 21:40
TVB News
The United States was plunged into a government shutdown as senators failed to strike a last-minute deal on extending funding ahead of Wednesday's start of the fiscal year.
Hundreds of thousands of federal employees could be furloughed without pay or fired by the Trump administration.
A pair of final Senate votes for competing stopgap proposals took place on Tuesday.
The Affordable Care Act's tax credits have become a sticking point.
Democrats crafted a bill that sought to extend Obamacare health insurance subsidies and roll back Medicaid while extending funding through October 31st. It was rejected by a vote of 47-53 amid Republican opposition.
Hours later, Senate Democrats also blocked the GOP's short-term measure that would have funded the government at current levels.
With no agreement in place by the midnight deadline, the U.S. government was officially shut down from today, the third time that President Donald Trump has presided over a federal funding lapse.
Trump put the blame on Democrats.
He said: "Well, the Democrats want to shut it down, so when you shut it down, you have to do layoffs, so we'd be laying off a lot of people that are going to be very affected."
About 750,000 federal workers will be furloughed each day beginning Wednesday, according to congressional estimates, and agencies have been reportedly directed to execute plans for mass firings.
Offices conducting so-called "nonessential" activities such as scientific research and customer service will be closed.
Federal employees deemed "excepted," from military troops, border guards, to air traffic controllers, would stay on the job but will not receive a paycheck until Congress resolves the standoff.
Top Democrats pointed the finger at Trump and Republicans for the shutdown early this morning.
Chuck Schumer said: "The Republicans are plunging America into a shutdown, rejecting bipartisan talks, pushing a partisan bill and risking America's health care, worst of all."
The U.S. consulate in Hong Kong said passport and visa services would continue, including new appointments.
Its website updates, however, will be limited and its Instagram and Facebook accounts will not be updated until full operations resume.
