After the stopgap bill failed to pass the Senate and no alternative deal was reached, the United States government shutdown ensued at midnight Eastern time (6 am CET). Government agencies will close, and hundreds of thousands of government employees will go on a forced leave absence until a new spending bill is passed. However, law enforcement, airport security, Social Security benefits, Medicare and other essential services will continue functioning.
Mick Mulvaney, the Office of Management and Budget Director, said on Friday afternoon that a shutdown would not affect the functioning of national parks, the military or other services essential to citizens, except that their employees will not be paid until a deal on the spending bill is reached.
Last time a government shutdown took place was in October 2013 when it lasted for 16 days.
