US government shutdown: What closes and who is affected globally

When Washington grinds to a halt, the whole world feels it. A US government shutdown isn’t just about lawmakers in Congress bickering over budgets. It’s about federal workers missing paychecks, families struggling with delayed services, and ripple effects that travel far beyond American borders. So, what exactly happens during a government shutdown, what closes, and why does the rest of the world care? Let’s break it down. Think of it like this: Congress has to pass a budget every year to fund federal agencies. If lawmakers can’t agree on that budget—or even a temporary stopgap measure—the money runs out. And when the money stops, the government can’t pay for everything it usually does. That’s when the shutters come down. Well, not completely—some services keep running, espec