Government shutdown begins as division rules Washington

Washington has ground to a halt thanks to a government shutdown, triggered by Congress being unable to agree on a funding bill. It is the 15th government shutdown since 1981, likely to slow the release of key reports and lead to the furlough of 750,000 federal workers at a daily cost of $US400 million.

USA; House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) hold a press conference with House and Senate leadership from the United States Capitol on the morning of the first day of the federal government shutdown on October 1, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Source: SIPA USA / Jack Gruber/Jack Gruber-USA TODAY via Imagn Images/Sipa USA