Washington: The US government shut down early today for the first time in nearly seven years, after Congress failed to pass a funding law to ensure the continued operation of institutions. According to Oman News Agency, following the vote's failure yesterday "Tuesday", Russell Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), informed federal agencies that they "should now execute their plans for an orderly shutdown." The US has previously experienced four government shutdowns that affected services for more than one business day, the most recent of which was during US President Donald Trump's first term in 2019. A federal government shutdown results in the temporary layoffs of hundreds of thousands of federal employees. Some workers, classified as essential, are required to continue working but will not receive their pay until the shutdown is resolved. In contrast, certain positions that are not funded by annual appropriations from Congress will continue to receive pay during thi s time. The current crisis involves $1.7 trillion in funding, amounting to one-quarter of the $7 trillion government's budget, with the largest remainder to health and retirement programs and interest payments on the growing $37.5 trillion debt.