Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images After midnight on October 1, 2025, the federal government officially shut down because lawmakers failed to come together on a new spending plan for the fiscal year. The halt leaves hundreds of thousands of federal workers in limbo and raises new questions about how long agencies can continue daily services. As the Republican Party blames Democrats for the impasse, here's what we know about the shutdown, how it affects you and what businesses could cease service until further notice. What Happens When the Government Shuts Down? When the U.S.