美国联邦政府“停摆”进入第三周（国际视点）

Core Points - The U.S. federal government shutdown has entered its fifteenth day, marking the longest shutdown in nearly seven years, with no substantial progress in negotiations to restart the government [1][2] - The shutdown began on October 1 due to the Senate's failure to pass a new temporary funding bill before federal funds were exhausted, highlighting increasing political polarization and a lack of compromise between the Democratic and Republican parties [2][3] - The shutdown has led to significant disruptions in public services, affecting vulnerable populations and international visitors, with many federal employees being furloughed or forced to work without pay [4][5] Group 1: Political Dynamics - The Senate has failed to pass the funding bill after eight votes, with the latest vote resulting in 49 in favor and 45 against, indicating a deepening political stalemate [2][3] - The ongoing political battle has escalated into a public relations war, with both parties blaming each other for the shutdown, and the White House using a countdown timer to highlight the duration of the shutdown [3] - Historical context shows that government shutdowns have occurred over 20 times since 1974, often as a result of budgetary disputes between the two parties [3] Group 2: Economic Impact - The shutdown is expected to negatively impact the U.S. economy, with estimates suggesting a reduction of approximately 0.1% in annual GDP growth for each week the government remains shut down [6][7] - The previous shutdown from December 2018 to January 2019 resulted in a $11 billion loss in economic output, indicating the potential for significant economic repercussions if the current shutdown continues [6][7] - The shutdown has created a "data blind spot" for economic decision-making, as key federal agencies have paused operations, delaying important economic indicators and complicating monetary policy decisions for the Federal Reserve [6][7] Group 3: Public Services Disruption - Numerous public services have been halted, with federal employees facing furloughs and layoffs, impacting essential services such as air traffic control and social assistance programs [4][5] - The Smithsonian Institution and other federally funded organizations have closed, affecting tourism and public access to cultural resources [5] - Food banks and social assistance programs are struggling due to a lack of federal support, with reports of significant funding shortfalls impacting their ability to serve communities in need [5][6]