For the second time in under four months, the US government is on the brink of a shutdown as discussions between Republicans and Democrats continue in Congress.
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed a temporary spending bill to fund the government until 30 September. The bill has now moved to the Senate, which must approve it before it reaches President Donald Trump&rsquo;s desk. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill on Friday morning.
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Here&rsquo;s what you need to know about a possible government shutdown, including when it might happen and how it could impact you.
<h2>When is the government shutdown deadline?</h2>
The current funding expires on Friday night. If a new spending bill is not passed and signed by President Trump before 11:59 pm ET on Friday, a shutdown will begin at 12:01 am ET on Saturday.
<h2>What happens during a government shutdown?</h2>
During a shutdown, essential government functions continue, but nonessential operations are put on hold. For example, the Department of Energy will continue maintaining nuclear reactors, and military and border security functions will remain active.
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Federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and DEA, will remain operational. Prison staff, the Secret Service, and the Coast Guard will also continue working.
Federal employees stop receiving pay, with many being temporarily suspended until funding is restored. The extent of the shutdown's impact depends on how long it lasts. A brief shutdown over a weekend may have minimal effects, but a prolonged one could disrupt public services and the economy.
<h2>Why would the government shut down?</h2>
The Republican-led House narrowly passed a spending bill to fund the government through 30 September. However, in the Senate, Republicans need 60 votes to pass the bill but control only 53 seats. This means they require support from some Democrats, and it remains uncertain whether they will secure enough votes.
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<h2>Which services could be affected?</h2>
Federal agencies providing public services may experience delays. Applying for a Social Security card, for instance, could take longer. In previous shutdowns, food safety and environmental inspections were postponed. The US Department of Agriculture&rsquo;s nutrition programmes, which assist millions, would likely operate with minimal staff. Additionally, new loans for small farmers may be put on hold.
<h2>How many federal employees will be affected?</h2>
As many as 900,000 federal workers could be temporarily discharged, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. This number excludes active-duty military personnel and US Postal Service employees.
<h2>Who doesn&rsquo;t get paid during a shutdown?</h2>
Most federal employees, both essential and nonessential, will not receive pay during a shutdown. However, a 2019 law ensures that they receive back pay once the shutdown ends. Private contractors working with federal agencies are not guaranteed back pay.
<h2>Will Social Security and Medicare be affected?</h2>
Retirement and disability benefits will continue to be issued without interruption. However, some delays in processing may occur. Medicare benefits will also proceed as usual.
<h2>Will national parks remain open?</h2>
National parks, monuments, and other sites will close, with rangers furloughed and facilities shut down. In previous shutdowns, some states temporarily funded park operations to keep them running.
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<h2>How will transportation be affected?</h2>
Airport security screeners and air traffic controllers will continue working. However, new hires and certain infrastructure projects could face delays. Absenteeism among staff, as seen in past shutdowns, may affect airport operations.
As the Friday deadline approaches, it remains uncertain whether Congress can prevent another government shutdown.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: The current funding expires on Friday night. If a new spending bill is not passed and signed by President Trump before 11:59 pm ET on Friday, a shutdown will begin.

For the second time in under four months, the US government is on the brink of a shutdown as discussions between Republicans and Democrats continue in Congress. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed a temporary spending bill to fund the government until 30 September. The bill has now moved to the Senate, which must approve it before it reaches President Donald Trump’s desk. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill on Friday morning. Also read: Trump threatens 200% tariff on European wines, champagnes in retaliation to EU's whiskey levies Here’s what you need to know about a possible government shutdown, including when it might happen and how it could impact you. When is the government shutdown deadline? The current funding expires on Friday night. If a new spending bill is not passed and signed by President Trump before 11:59 pm ET on Friday, a shutdown will begin at 12:01 am ET on Saturday. What happens during a government shutdown? During a shutdown, essential government functions continue, but nonessential operations are put on hold. For example, the Department of Energy will continue maintaining nuclear reactors, and military and border security functions will remain active. Also read: 'Should not harm EV companies': Musk's Tesla raises concern as it might get affected by Trump's retaliatory tariffs Federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and DEA, will remain operational. Prison staff, the Secret Service, and the Coast Guard will also continue working. Federal employees stop receiving pay, with many being temporarily suspended until funding is restored. The extent of the shutdown's impact depends on how long it lasts. A brief shutdown over a weekend may have minimal effects, but a prolonged one could disrupt public services and the economy. Why would the government shut down? The Republican-led House narrowly passed a spending bill to fund the government through 30 September. However, in the Senate, Republicans need 60 votes to pass the bill but control only 53 seats. This means they require support from some Democrats, and it remains uncertain whether they will secure enough votes. Also read: What’s in Trump's Ukraine ceasefire deal and why Russian President Putin rejected it? Which services could be affected? Federal agencies providing public services may experience delays. Applying for a Social Security card, for instance, could take longer. In previous shutdowns, food safety and environmental inspections were postponed. The US Department of Agriculture’s nutrition programmes, which assist millions, would likely operate with minimal staff. Additionally, new loans for small farmers may be put on hold. How many federal employees will be affected? As many as 900,000 federal workers could be temporarily discharged, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. This number excludes active-duty military personnel and US Postal Service employees. Who doesn’t get paid during a shutdown? Most federal employees, both essential and nonessential, will not receive pay during a shutdown. However, a 2019 law ensures that they receive back pay once the shutdown ends. Private contractors working with federal agencies are not guaranteed back pay. Will Social Security and Medicare be affected? Retirement and disability benefits will continue to be issued without interruption. However, some delays in processing may occur. Medicare benefits will also proceed as usual. Will national parks remain open? National parks, monuments, and other sites will close, with rangers furloughed and facilities shut down. In previous shutdowns, some states temporarily funded park operations to keep them running. Also read: 'Can't confirm this at all': Russia shrugs off claims about sidelining Trump’s Ukraine envoy from ceasefire talks How will transportation be affected? Airport security screeners and air traffic controllers will continue working. However, new hires and certain infrastructure projects could face delays. Absenteeism among staff, as seen in past shutdowns, may affect airport operations. As the Friday deadline approaches, it remains uncertain whether Congress can prevent another government shutdown. (With inputs from agencies)

US government shutdown looms: What it is, who it affects, and how it could impact millions

The US Congress easily passed a one-week stopgap spending bill Friday, assuring there is no embarrassing government shutdown on the 100th day of Donald Trump&#39;s presidency.

After weeks of tense negotiations over federal spending, the measure sailed through the House and Senate just hours before a midnight deadline.

It now heads to Trump&#39;s desk, and the president is expected to sign it later Friday.

The bill extends current funding levels until May 5, giving lawmakers in the Republican-controlled Congress one week of breathing room to hash out a measure that funds government operations through September, when the fiscal year ends.

With lawmakers mindful of the midnight deadline, the measure cleared the House of Representatives 382 to 30, with broad bipartisan support.

Minutes later, the Senate approved it by a simple voice vote.

Congressional leaders have said the two sides have made important progress on the broader spending bill and that an agreement was within reach.

&quot;But we shouldn&#39;t be in this situation,&quot; Senate Democrat Patrick Leahy said.

&quot;We shouldn&#39;t have allowed partisan politics once again to turn a looming deadline into a political standoff.&quot;

The temporary bill sets aside several contentious elements which have been the focus of bitter rhetorical feuding in recent days.

It leaves out funding for the wall that Trump has pledged to build on the southern US border with Mexico. Democrats have warned they will not support a funding measure that includes appropriations for the wall, but they are open to funding for broader border security elements.

The spending bill is also expected to continue to fund subsidies for low-income Americans purchasing health insurance as part of Obamacare.

Top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi said the White House signaled &quot;they would be going forward with the cost-sharing funding,&quot; but the length of that funding remained unclear.&nbsp;

&quot;Not all the poison pill riders have been eliminated, some have. A good number have,&quot; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, referring to controversial provisions that could sink the legislation.

&quot;We&#39;re willing to extend things for a little bit more time in hopes that the same kind of progress can continue to be made, but we still have a little bit of a ways to go.&quot;

Trump had been seeking a major legislative victory to cap his first 100 days in office, but it has proved elusive.

His White House had been pushing hard for Congress to ram through a bill that repeals much of the Affordable Care Act, the landmark health care reforms of Trump&#39;s predecessor.

Republicans this week resurrected their health bill after initial efforts collapsed last month, when party moderates and conservatives failed to unite on how to repeal Obamacare. They want to replace it with a measure that lowers premiums and other costs and does not leave millions uninsured.

After flirting with a vote on the new measure this week -- a move that angered Democrats -- Republicans backed away, acknowledging they were shy of the votes needed to get them across the finish line.

(AFP)

After weeks of tense negotiations over federal spending, the measure sailed through the House and Senate just hours before a midnight deadline

The US Congress easily passed a one-week stopgap spending bill Friday, assuring there is no embarrassing government shutdown on the 100th day of Donald Trump's presidency. After weeks of tense negotiations over federal spending, the measure sailed through the House and Senate just hours before a midnight deadline. It now heads to Trump's desk, and the president is expected to sign it later Friday. The bill extends current funding levels until May 5, giving lawmakers in the Republican-controlled Congress one week of breathing room to hash out a measure that funds government operations through September, when the fiscal year ends. With lawmakers mindful of the midnight deadline, the measure cleared the House of Representatives 382 to 30, with broad bipartisan support. Minutes later, the Senate approved it by a simple voice vote. Congressional leaders have said the two sides have made important progress on the broader spending bill and that an agreement was within reach. "But we shouldn't be in this situation," Senate Democrat Patrick Leahy said. "We shouldn't have allowed partisan politics once again to turn a looming deadline into a political standoff." The temporary bill sets aside several contentious elements which have been the focus of bitter rhetorical feuding in recent days. It leaves out funding for the wall that Trump has pledged to build on the southern US border with Mexico. Democrats have warned they will not support a funding measure that includes appropriations for the wall, but they are open to funding for broader border security elements. The spending bill is also expected to continue to fund subsidies for low-income Americans purchasing health insurance as part of Obamacare. Top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi said the White House signaled "they would be going forward with the cost-sharing funding," but the length of that funding remained unclear. "Not all the poison pill riders have been eliminated, some have. A good number have," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, referring to controversial provisions that could sink the legislation. "We're willing to extend things for a little bit more time in hopes that the same kind of progress can continue to be made, but we still have a little bit of a ways to go." Trump had been seeking a major legislative victory to cap his first 100 days in office, but it has proved elusive. His White House had been pushing hard for Congress to ram through a bill that repeals much of the Affordable Care Act, the landmark health care reforms of Trump's predecessor. Republicans this week resurrected their health bill after initial efforts collapsed last month, when party moderates and conservatives failed to unite on how to repeal Obamacare. They want to replace it with a measure that lowers premiums and other costs and does not leave millions uninsured. After flirting with a vote on the new measure this week -- a move that angered Democrats -- Republicans backed away, acknowledging they were shy of the votes needed to get them across the finish line. (AFP)

US Congress averts shutdown, passing stopgap spending bill

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US government shutdown looms: What it is, who it affects, and how it could impact millions

US Congress averts shutdown, passing stopgap spending bill