What’s the true cost of America’s shutdown politics?

AS THE US federal government hurtles towards a potential shutdown on Oct 1, Americans once again find themselves watching a political drama that has become all too familiar.

With the Senate having rejected competing funding measures and only days remaining before the fiscal year deadline, the current impasse represents more than just another budgetary disagreement – it reflects deeper, structural problems in how the government operates.

The immediate trigger for this potential shutdown stems from Congress’ failure to pass appropriations Bills for the new fiscal year. The House passed a Republican-backed stopgap funding measure that would keep the government running through Nov 21, but the Senate has rejected both this proposal and Democratic alternatives.