(The Hill) — The government shut down at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday after lawmakers did little to prevent it over the last two days.

Republicans are adamant that their proposed measure to keep the government ticking for the next seven weeks, already approved by the GOP-held House, should be passed with no baggage attached in the Senate.

Democrats are equally emphatic that their support, which Republicans need to pass the legislation through the upper chamber, will only be given if there are concessions from the GOP on health care.

A Monday White House meeting between President Trump and the top congressional leaders in both parties achieved basically nothing.

This is the first shutdown since midway through Trump’s first term.

A shutdown does not equate to an instant collapse in all governme

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