The United States government has entered its first shutdown in seven years after Congress failed to agree on a spending plan. The White House warned that over 700,000 federal employees could be furloughed within days, with “essential” staff forced to work without pay. Republicans and Democrats continue to trade blame over healthcare funding and budget priorities, while uncertainty grows over whether furloughed workers will receive back pay. Analysts say the crisis may hit harder than the 2018 shutdown.