"Government Shutdown Looms, Stocks Under Pressure"

The federal government is at risk of shutting down again if Congress fails to reach a funding solution by October 1. In the past four decades, there have been 20 government shutdowns, with some lasting over a week. The longest shutdown occurred in 2019 under President Donald Trump, lasting 34 days. Shutdowns have often been the result of disagreements between political parties, such as the 1995 shutdowns during President Bill Clinton's tenure. The fate of millions of federal workers and the availability of government services hang in the balance as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his caucus struggle to find common ground on funding and spending cuts.