Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Oct 4: The United States government shutdown has entered its third day, with Republicans and Democrats locked in a bitter political stalemate, showing no signs of compromise. The deadlock has already furloughed approximately 750,000 federal workers and forced thousands more to work without pay.

The latest round of Senate votes on Friday once again failed to produce a breakthrough, as Democrats refused to support the Republican-backed “Big Beautiful Bill” unless provisions cutting healthcare for American citizens are reversed. Republicans, meanwhile, accuse Democrats of seeking healthcare subsidies for undocumented immigrants—an allegation that Democratic leaders firmly reject as misinformation fueled by the Trump administration.

Further escalating tensions, the White House announced the suspension of $2.1 billion in federal funding for a major rail project in Chicago, a Democratic stronghold. Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, said on X (formerly Twitter) that the funds were being withheld to review what he called “race-based contracting,” implying potential constitutional violations under DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) policies.

In addition, a broader freeze was enacted earlier in the week, affecting $26 billion in funding across 16 Democrat-leaning states—including $18 billion for transit infrastructure in New York, home to Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the funding cuts at a Friday press conference, stating, “We paused $2.1 billion in Chicago infrastructure projects because we are concerned that the Biden administration was distributing taxpayer dollars based on DEI policies. These contracts are under review by the Department of Transportation on constitutional grounds.”

She also issued a stark warning: federal layoffs are likely if Democrats continue blocking the bill. “Nobody wants to lay off workers, but tough decisions must be made,” she said.

President Donald Trump, on his social platform Truth Social, called the shutdown an “unprecedented opportunity”—a signal that the Republican leadership may be prepared for a prolonged confrontation.

What’s Affected:

• 750,000 federal employees furloughed, with many others working unpaid
• Military and civilian staff are not receiving salaries
• 13,000 air traffic controllers remain on duty without pay, while hiring and training are halted
• Food assistance programs, government-funded preschools, and food inspections are under threat
• Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo in Washington will stay open only until October 11

Essential services like border security, law enforcement, and air traffic control continue for now, but experts warn that prolonged disruption could soon impact air travel and safety operations.

This marks the first US government shutdown in seven years, with the last one—under Trump’s first term—lasting a record 35 days. As the standoff continues, the uncertainty looms over millions of Americans relying on federal services and paychecks.