Core Points - The U.S. government officially shut down on October 1, marking the first shutdown since Trump's first term, due to a failure to reach an agreement on a temporary funding bill related to healthcare benefits [2][4] - Approximately 750,000 federal employees may be forced into unpaid leave, although historically, they receive back pay once the government reopens [5][10] - The shutdown will disrupt various federal services, including national parks, passport processing, and economic data reports from the Labor and Commerce Departments [12][14] Group 1: Reasons for Shutdown - The U.S. government relies on Congress to pass 12 appropriations bills each year; failure to do so by the start of the fiscal year leads to a funding gap [8] - The last temporary funding patch was passed in March for the 2025 fiscal year, but no agreement was reached for a new one [8] Group 2: Historical Context - Since 1981, there have been 14 government shutdowns, lasting from one day to 35 days during the 2018-2019 period [9] Group 3: Implications of the Shutdown - Many federal functions will be suspended, with "essential" services continuing, such as law enforcement and public safety, but those employees will work without pay [10][13] - Federal contractors, including private companies reliant on government contracts, will face revenue losses, and their employees typically do not receive back pay during shutdowns [14]