Exploring the Impact of a Government Shutdown: What Happens in America? Airports Operate, Research Halts - Cash Balance Over Blame Game

On October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government entered a shutdown due to the failure to pass a spending bill and the breakdown of a Continuing Resolution (CR). While essential services necessary for the protection of life and property continue, non-essential federal employees are furloughed without pay, and contractors receive no compensation, impacting livelihoods and local economies. Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security benefits continue, but research at the CDC and NIH, FDA inspections, and IRS customer service operations are scaled back. Politically, the conflict over the extension of ACA insurance subsidies is a flashpoint, with a fierce blame game intensifying on X. On Reddit, discussions of on-the-ground anxiety and debates over "who is responsible" run parallel. Public opinion polls show 45% blaming the Republicans and 32% the Democrats, indicating an initial disadvantage for the Republicans. The market opened weakly, disliking the uncertainty.