Countdown to Chaos: Looming U.S. Government Shutdown

The U.S. government is on the brink of a shutdown as President Donald Trump and Congress struggle to agree on a spending bill by the midnight deadline on Tuesday. If no deal is reached, hundreds of thousands of non-essential federal employees will be furloughed, significantly impacting government operations across the nation.

This looming shutdown, unlike previous ones, comes with the possibility of additional layoffs as President Trump has signaled potential cuts unless Congress acts fast. As the clock ticks, at least 16 of the 24 largest federal agencies have already outlined employee furlough plans, a move showing both urgency and uncertainty.

Crucial services such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid would continue despite the shutdown, albeit with reduced staff. Key sectors including air traffic and federal law enforcement would remain operational without pay. The potential shutdown threatens to disrupt not only government services but also daily life, as programs like SNAP and WIC face funding challenges and delays in key economic data publications are expected.

(With inputs from agencies.)