The federal government has entered its first shutdown since 2019 as Democrats and Republicans trade blame over who is responsible for the lapse in funding.

The simple truth is Democrats in Congress have dragged our country into another reckless shutdown, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said.

Democrat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pushed the blame back, saying, Republicans thought that they could barrel us into a shutdown because they didn't want to protect the health care of the American people.

The shutdown began after Congress disagreed on a funding package to keep agencies operating.

Unlike city and state governments, which continue to function as normal, a federal shutdown halts many services and places thousands of employees on furlough.

Laura Wilson, a political sci

See Full Page