What happens if the US government shuts down?

The US is preparing to shut down the government again after a subcommittee of Congress failed to provide funding to keep government agencies open.

The bill could expire at midnight Friday unless Republicans and Democrats agree on a path forward.

Here’s a breakdown of how we got here and what it means for the American people — and for Donald Trump.

Most government agencies rely on annual appropriations approved by Congress.

Each year, these organizations submit their proposals, which Congress must pass, and the president must sign into law for the next year’s budget.

If an agreement is not reached, then all non-essential, intelligence-related activities of the US government will cease.

In September, both parties agreed to keep the government budget until 20 December.

This week, just three days before lawmakers go on vacation, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, released a bill extending spending through March.

It supported the Democratic leadership but included measures such as a pay raise for lawmakers that upset some Republicans.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk, Trump’s ally, posted his objections and later the candidate indicated that he wanted his party to kill him, which happened.

A second, smaller bill reached the House floor Thursday night but failed to garner enough votes to pass.

If no deal is reached by midnight, then the US will have its first shutdown since early 2019.

Essential workers continue as usual, some of them without pay, while government workers deemed non-essential are put on temporary unpaid leave.

Border security, medical care, law enforcement and aviation will continue to operate.

But services such as the food assistance program, government-subsidized schools, providing student loans and food inspections, and National Parks will be reduced or closed.

While Social Security and Medicare checks are mailed, benefit verification and card issuance stops.

There may also be travel delays if the suspension drags on.

“Temporary layoffs can lead to long waits at airports,” said Transportation Security Administration spokesman Carter Langston.

The Tesla boss was tasked with identifying cost-cutting measures by heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

It is not a government department but has vowed to raise $2tn.

On Wednesday he posted a series of posts on X, the platform he owns, expressing his displeasure with Mike Johnson’s bill.

Adding falsehoods to the contents of the bill, he called it criminal and outrageous.

After Musk denounced the opposition, Trump and JD Vance, the incoming vice president, defeated Johnson’s deal that night.

He also said in a joint statement that he wanted a constitutional amendment without the Democratic support that Johnson included.

They also asked Congress to raise or eliminate the debt, which determines how much money the government can borrow to pay its debts.

Johnson promised to have an answer on Friday so there will be plenty of debate on Capitol Hill as the clock ticks down.

But in order for it to pass in the House, it will need the votes of the Democrats.

Democrats said they would support the original bill that Trump and Musk opposed.

If no agreement is reached then US institutions will close at midnight.

Very common. President Ronald Reagan oversaw eight suspensions during his tenure — though all were short-lived.

And there were three when Donald Trump was president, including the longest in history at 36 days that ended in January 2019.

This was due to disagreements over financing the construction of a wall along the Mexican border.

Congressional Budget Office (CBO) he estimated that he reduced the economic results about $11bn, including $3bn that was not recovered.

Budget freezes are almost unique to US politics.

Under the US system, the various branches of government must agree on spending measures before they become law.

In many countries, the budget vote is a vote of confidence in the government itself. But because the US has parallel branches and often divides government, this is not the case.

Also known as the debt ceiling, this is a law that limits the amount of money a government can borrow to pay its debts.

This includes paying federal employees, the military, Social Security and Medicare, as well as interest on the national debt and tax refunds.

Every so often, the US Congress votes to raise or lower the debt ceiling.

Trump’s addition to the deal was an unexpected demand that has made it difficult for Republicans who often oppose the amount of money the government spends on paying back the money.

The debt had to be increased in the coming months regardless of the promised improvement.

But in order to make it happen now, some experts believe that Trump is showing the cost of his proposed tax cuts and border restrictions will test the border. And he prefers a fight more than a lot to happen before he takes over.

Democrats usually like to raise the debt without strings attached but they don’t want to help Republicans now.

Trump’s threat is a mini-rebellion from the invincible mantle he’s worn since the election.

And it raises questions about his party’s ability to deliver on his campaign promises that require legislation.