US Government Shutdown Enters Second Day, Mass Layoffs Loom Imminently
The US government shutdown entered its second day on Thursday, with the White House warning that mass layoffs of federal workers will begin within two days if a new spending plan is not agreed upon. The shutdown, which began on Wednesday after Republicans and Democrats in Congress failed to reach an agreement before the midnight deadline, has raised fears of thousands of job losses and billions of dollars in lost economic output.
According to the White House, mass layoffs are imminent, with no end to the shutdown in sight. "The Senate has adjourned, and there is little sign that either side is willing to compromise," a White House spokesperson said. The shutdown has already caused disruptions to government services, with many agencies operating on reduced staff or closed altogether.
The shutdown is the first of its kind in almost seven years, and it has sparked a blame game between Republicans and Democrats in Congress. "This shutdown is a result of the Democratic Party's refusal to negotiate on border security," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) countered that the shutdown was caused by the Republican Party's insistence on including funding for a border wall in the spending plan.
The impact of the shutdown is already being felt across the country. According to a report by the Congressional Budget Office, the shutdown could cost the US economy up to $5 billion per week in lost output. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of federal workers are facing uncertainty about their employment status, with many having been furloughed or forced to work without pay.
The Senate has adjourned until further notice, leaving it unclear when a new spending plan will be agreed upon. However, lawmakers from both parties have expressed hope that a deal can be reached soon. "We are working tirelessly to find a solution to this shutdown," said Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY). "We urge our colleagues across the aisle to join us in finding common ground and ending this unnecessary shutdown."
As the standoff continues, federal workers and their families are bracing for the worst. Many have already begun making plans for alternative employment or taking out loans to cover living expenses while they wait for a resolution. The White House has said that it will provide support to affected workers, but the exact details of these efforts remain unclear.
The shutdown is set to continue until a new spending plan is agreed upon by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. With no end in sight, federal workers are holding their breath as they wait for news of a resolution.
This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and BBC Business.
