The US government has shut down for the first time in six years after Congress failed to pass a measure to extend funding beyond a midnight deadline.
Republicans fell short of the 60 votes required to advance a spending bill in the Senate that would provide funding for federal government staff and services.
Millions of workers will either be temporarily laid off or expected to work without pay.
The shutdown comes as President Donald Trump threatens to extend his purge of the federal workforce with “irreversible” firings.
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