WASHINGTON ( The COW News Digital) The United States federal government shutdown has entered its 22nd day, while the country’s total national debt has soared past a record $38 trillion, reflecting deepening political gridlock and mounting fiscal pressures.
According to international media reports, the U.S. Congress has once again failed to approve a temporary funding bill — the 11th attempt to keep the government operational. Both Republicans and Democrats remain at a stalemate, with no new negotiation plans currently on the table.
The prolonged shutdown has begun to take a visible toll on federal employees and public services. In Washington, D.C., hundreds of unpaid government workers were seen lining up outside relief centers to collect free meals. The shutdown has also disrupted air travel, with data from U.S. flight tracking websites showing nearly 20,000 domestic and international flights delayed between October 18 and 20 due to staff shortages and operational slowdowns.
Further compounding the crisis, the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced on October 20 that approximately 1,400 of its employees have been placed on unpaid leave. Only around 400 essential staff members remain on duty, raising concerns about the continuity of critical national security operations.
The U.S. Treasury Department’s latest figures reveal that as of October 21, the federal government’s total debt has crossed $38 trillion for the first time in history. This marks a sharp increase from mid-August, when the debt stood at around $37 trillion — meaning an additional $1 trillion was added in just two months.
Economists warn that the combination of a prolonged shutdown and ballooning debt could have far-reaching economic consequences. The situation threatens to undermine investor confidence, increase borrowing costs, and put pressure on the U.S. dollar in global markets.
Analysts note that partisan divisions in Congress have paralyzed fiscal policy, with each side blaming the other for the failure to secure a stopgap funding measure. The White House has urged lawmakers to act swiftly, warning that continued inaction could disrupt essential government services and delay federal payments, including those to social security and defense workers.
As the standoff continues, uncertainty looms over when — or if — a breakthrough might come to restore government operations and stabilize the economy.
