On October 1, 2025, the US federal government officially entered a “shutdown” state as Congress failed to pass the new fiscal year’s appropriation bill. This is the sixth government shutdown in the United States in nearly a decade. About 800,000 federal employees are facing unpaid leave or forced vacations, and the public service system has been widely affected. According to the latest news, ironically, in the East Wing of the White House, the construction of a new banquet hall funded by private funds is still proceeding as usual, which has raised strong public doubts.
Full implementation of the shutdown: Unpaid work for key positions
According to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the government shutdown began at 0:00 local time on October 1. Due to significant differences between the Democratic and Republican parties on budget allocation and aid programs, the House of Representatives failed to pass the Continuing Resolution bill, resulting in the disruption of the federal government’s chain.
Although key departments such as transportation, defense, and security have been classified as “Essential Services”, they can only be forced to “extend their services on a paid basis” without any funding. About 13,000 air traffic controllers and over 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel are still working but temporarily unable to receive their salaries.
Flights at many airports were immediately affected. The average delay time at Washington Reagan Airport has exceeded 30 minutes, and the flight delay rate at New York LaGuardia Airport has surpassed 50%, with a sharp increase in passenger complaints. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States has warned that if the shutdown persists, “flight scheduling systems will face significant safety pressure.”
The shutdown of public systems has affected social welfare and people’s livelihoods
With the freezing of fiscal spending, except for core areas such as national defense, healthcare, and policing, national parks, research institutions, and the immigration bureau have all suspended or reduced their operations. The National Zoo in Washington is closed, and NASA has postponed some satellite projects. The Veterans Affairs Administration has suspended the review process for some subsidies.
The Federation of Government Employees said that many staff members were forced to “stay on unpaid leave”, still having to fulfill their work obligations every week, but it was impossible to determine when their salaries would be paid back. This state not only affects the operation of the public service system, but also causes financial strain in families and low social sentiment.
Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department issued a warning that if the shutdown lasts more than two weeks, it may affect the distribution of some social security benefits and welfare, further weakening the public’s trust in the government.
The White House project has not been halted, which has sparked controversy
While the government was largely shut down, construction noise still came from the East wing of the White House. According to multiple media reports, a new banquet hall project covering an area of approximately 90,000 square feet is still progressing as planned. A White House spokesperson confirmed that the project funds came from private donations and the president’s fund account, rather than federal financial allocations, and thus were “not affected by the shutdown”.
This latest news quickly sparked controversy on social media. Critics point out that when federal employees are working without pay and national parks are closed, the White House is still building a banquet hall, which is no different from the “real dividing line between political elites and ordinary people”. Some Republican lawmakers also took this opportunity to criticize the Biden administration for its “unbalanced management” and “symbolism taking precedence over people’s livelihoods”.
The White House responded that the project is a long-term infrastructure improvement plan aimed at future state events and cultural exchange venues and has nothing to do with financial allocations. The spokesperson emphasized, “The source of funds is transparent, and the construction has not violated the regulations on shutdown management.”
Political deadlock and institutional predicament
The “shutdown” of the US government has long been a symbol of political games in Congress. The main focus of this disagreement lies in social spending, immigration grants, and military aid to Ukraine. The Republican Party demands cuts in the budget for social programs, prioritizing domestic security. The Democratic Party insists on retaining funds for social assistance and education.
Analysts point out that the “short-term appropriation dependence” of the US fiscal system has frequently plunged the executive branch into cyclical paralysis. Due to the severe division between the two parties, every budget negotiation is regarded as a tool for political confrontation. Carlson, a researcher at the Brookings Institution, commented: “The shutdown is not only a budget dispute, but also a collapse of institutional trust.”
Against this backdrop, the ongoing construction of the White House Banquet Hall project is even more ironic. It symbolizes the image of “elite first” within the government and also reflects the disconnection between public interests and political symbols in the system.
Economic impact and social anxiety
The government shutdown not only causes administrative stagnation but also has a chain reaction on the economy.
- Aviation industry: Flight delays and personnel shortages may lead to economic losses of hundreds of millions of dollars.
- Tourism: The closure of national parks has dealt a blow to the autumn peak tourist season, especially affecting local economies in places like Yellowstone and Yosemite.
- Financial markets: Investors are worried that the fiscal deficit and debt ceiling issues will once again hit the market, and the fluctuations in the US dollar exchange rate have intensified.
Business leaders have called on the two parties to reach an agreement as soon as possible to avoid “artificially created economic wounds”. The US Chamber of Commerce issued a statement saying, “Political division is eroding market confidence. The government should return to its basic functions and ensure the operation of the country.”
The White House’s response and subsequent outlook
In response to public doubts, the White House held a briefing on October 3rd, stating that the construction project of the banquet hall was supported by private donations and was not within the scope of the government’s fiscal budget. Therefore, it could continue in accordance with the law during the shutdown period. The presidential advisor added that the project aims to “promote cultural activities and diplomatic exchanges” and is not a luxurious and hedonistic project.
However, the public backlash did not subside as a result. The public generally believes that the government should demonstrate restraint and empathy during times of crisis instead of symbolically continuing to build luxurious facilities.
On the part of Congress, there are currently no signs of reaching a temporary appropriation agreement. If the shutdown lasts for more than three weeks, the government may face more serious public safety and fiscal risks.
Conclusion
This government shutdown once again exposed the structural predicament of the US political system: bipartisan polarization, fiscal deadlock, and a weak bureaucratic system. The suspension of pay for air traffic control and the halt of public services, in sharp contrast to the ongoing construction of the White House building, have become a concentrated symbol of the public’s political dishonesty.
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