Shutdown enters third week as talks stall over funding bill

The partial federal government shutdown entered its third week with no immediate end in sight as Republican and Democratic leaders remained deadlocked over a new funding bill, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal employees furloughed or working without pay since October 1 and disrupting some government services across the country. Lawmakers failed to pass a spending measure for the 10th time this week, and the Senate adjourned for the weekend, ensuring the impasse will last at least until lawmakers return.

The dispute centers on whether to extend enhanced health insurance subsidies created during the COVID-19 pandemic. Democrats insist on permanently extending the subsidies to avoid sharp premium increases for millions of people; many Republican leaders oppose that demand and say they will not fund certain immigration-related measures. President Donald Trump has publicly blamed Democrats, calling it a "Democrat shutdown" on October 17, while Democrats say the standoff is avoidable because Republicans control the White House and both chambers of Congress.

So far day-to-day services have been only partially affected: mail delivery continues, most federal benefits remain paid...