The federal government officially shut down at midnight on Wednesday after a deadlocked Congress failed to pass a funding measure to keep the lights on.
A weekslong stalemate between Republicans and Democrats over enhanced Obamacare subsidies has turned into the first government shutdown since 2019.
Republicans insist Democrats need to simply agree to extend current funding for another seven weeks. But Democrats refuse to do so without major concessions for lending their votes to pass any funding measure in the Senate.
Leaders of both parties are privately and publicly adamant that they will not be blamed for the funding lapse.
Here are some of the stories that made headlines over the past week, as well as some photos that caught our eye.
Editor’s note: This gallery contains graphic images. Viewer discretion is advised.
