The U.S. government has officially shut down as of midnight EST, 9 p.m. PST, for the first time since 2019.

CNN reported that it is unknown how long the shutdown will last.

For now, it means that hundreds of thousands of workers will be put on leave, unless they are considered essential. Essential workers will still work, but they won’t get paid until the government reopens. 

Non-essential operations face closure, which can include:

• National parks/museums.
• Food and Drug Administration services.
• Immigration services.
• IRS services.

The shutdown came after Congress failed to pass a funding bill on Tuesday that would extend government services into the next fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1. The shutdown will continue until a bill is passed.

Democratic and Republican leaders are at odds with each other. According to CBS, Democrats want a shorter-term bill with concessions that primarily reverse cuts made to Medicare, and Republicans want to fund the government at current levels until Nov. 21. 

The last government shutdown in 2019 lasted 35 days and cost the U.S. economy roughly $3 billion in lost GDP, according to ABC. 

The Collegian will continue to provide updates as the news warrants.