US government shutdown

WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 28: The United States Capitol building is seen in Washington D.C., United States on September 28, 2023. The US finds itself yet again on the verge of a federal government shutdown amid persistent Republican infighting that has left the House of Representatives so far unable to pass a critical spending bill needed to avert catastrophe. There are just two days remaining for lawmakers to act. Should the House be unable to pass at least a short-term spending bill known as a continuing resolution that can also clear the Democratic-controlled Senate, much of the federal government will grind to a halt. Many of the federal government's roughly 4 million workers will be furloughed, or forced to remain home without a paycheck, while others who are deemed to be essential will work without pay. That includes the nation's roughly 1.3 million active-duty service members as well as federal law enforcement and air traffic controllers. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)