I don't have much info, but google does.
EDIT:
Redditor wrote:The US government is on partial shutdown. So that means many hundreds of thousands of US government workers will either 1. not be paid to work, or 2. be furloughed (not go in to work). 3. This applies to non-essential workers. Retroactive pay may apply once things are worked out.
This is a budget impasse. Republicans want to roll back some spending with certain provisions (basically, Obamacare is the focus). Before allowing a budget to pass, they wanted provisions delaying Obamacare implementation one year. Democrats would not give in, so nothing happened- no budget. There's been only a temporary budget provision for some time now and it's come to a head as no extension was made. Political brinksmanship at its finest.
Something related- the borrowing limit of the US government will soon max out, and also needs to be raised by Congress, which is a separate, but ongoing and related political fight with significant consequences. The date for this threshold is October 17th (someone correct me if I'm wrong).
Republicans control the house, Democrats the Senate. The House and Senate need to both approve the budget. However, proposals passed by one got shot down by the other, and various proposals bounced around both chambers of the Capitol.
Basically, this shutdown should last a few days- as both sides jockey for political gain. If it goes on a week, it could impact US GDP half a percent. two weeks? maybe 1%. Could be more, or less- but generally it's not perceived to be a good thing.
Whatever happens, we (the U.S), don't have our fiscal or political house in order- it's turned into a circus as of late.
TL;DR The parties have failed to get the job done, the federal government's, more or less, on hold. We're likely kicking the can down the road, again, with any quick fix. It's gonna start to cost us.
30 years from now, what will folks say about the 2010's in the US? anyone?
edit: essential workers
edit 2: as Bonerman pointed out and others - the debt ceiling, while related and politically-bound to the ongoing budget fight, is distinct and separate to the shut down.
edit 3: retroactive pay- sorry for those of you take it in the teeth financially.
edit 4: reddit gold- thanks, appreciated but not necessary. somebody else could have explained it better. i just replied first. Gonna chuck this account in the morning when this thread dies. far too much attention. apologies if you don't like my somewhat critical eye on the matter, or if it crossed your principles.
Government shutdown should trigger automatic elections for every damn seat in Congress. Maybe losing their jobs would provide some incentive.
