Washington: The U.S. government shutdown has now entered its third day (as of October 3, 2025). As a result, hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been forced into unpaid leave, while “non-essential” services such as national parks, tourist sites, and the release of important economic data have been suspended.
The dispute is stuck in Congress over the approval of the budget. Republicans accuse Senate Democrats of blocking funding bill H.R. 5371 in order to provide healthcare for “undocumented immigrants.” On the other hand, Democrats argue that President Donald Trump is using the shutdown as a political weapon to push through cuts under Project 2025, targeting green energy and infrastructure spending, especially in Democrat-majority states like New York and California.
Experts and independent fact-checkers say the Republican claims are misleading, since undocumented immigrants are still not eligible for federal health programs such as Medicaid. Democrats’ actual proposal is to expand Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) subsidies for U.S. citizens and legal residents—not for undocumented immigrants.
Meanwhile, millions of families who depend on federal paychecks are facing uncertainty. Analysts warn that if the shutdown continues for long, it could have serious consequences for the U.S. economy, including instability in financial markets and delays in federal projects.