The United States government shutdown intensified on Wednesday as congressional Democrats departed without resolving a funding impasse with President Donald Trump, while the White House hinted at potential mass layoffs in the public sector. The stalemate began after federal funding expired at midnight, forcing agencies to scale back operations. The White House issued warnings of “imminent” job cuts, heightening tensions. Senate Democrats, advocating for extended health care subsidies for low-income families, rejected a House-approved bill that would have temporarily reopened the government. With Senate voting adjourned until Friday, hopes for a swift resolution have dwindled. Approximately 750,000 federal employees face furloughs, a form of unpaid leave, while essential workers like military personnel and border agents may work without pay. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association raised concerns over air safety as over 2,300 members were sent home. This shutdown carries higher stakes than previous ones, as Trump pushes for hard-right policies, including significant government cuts and potential mass firings. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated that the administration is identifying areas for layoffs. House Republicans passed a stop-gap funding measure to sustain federal operations through late November, but Senate Democrats refuse to support it without compromises on spending cuts, particularly in health care. Senate Republican leaders, needing eight Democratic votes to pass the bill, managed to sway three moderates in an initial vote but failed to secure additional support. Congress will not vote on Thursday due to the Jewish Yom Kippur holiday, but the Senate will reconvene on Friday, potentially working through the weekend. The House is not scheduled to return until next week.