The United States is bracing for its first government shutdown in nearly seven years, as Republicans and Democrats in Congress remain deadlocked over a new spending plan. The shutdown, which began on Wednesday, has triggered a bitter blame game between the two parties, with mass layoffs of federal workers expected within two days. Vice-President JD Vance, in a rare appearance at a White House briefing, accused Democrats of playing political games, while Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned of impending job cuts. Democrats, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have countered by accusing Republicans of attempting to ‘bully’ them into accepting their funding plan. The impasse centers on healthcare funding, with Democrats seeking guarantees for lower-income Americans, while Republicans advocate for a temporary stop-gap measure to keep the government open until mid-November. Essential workers, such as border agents and the military, may be forced to work without pay, while non-essential employees face temporary unpaid leave. Analysts predict this shutdown could be more severe than the 2018 episode, potentially affecting 750,000 federal workers. As both sides dig in, the economic and social repercussions of the shutdown loom large, with no immediate resolution in sight.