Government shutdown begins after congress deadlocked on spending bill

The government shutdown is underway Wednesday after Congress deadlocked on a spending deal marking the first shutdown in nearly seven years.

Republicans were in favor of a short-term measure to fund the government through Nov. 21, but Democrats blocked it, arguing that the measure should address their concerns about health care.

Democrats are also pushing to repeal the Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump’s massive bill passed this summer and extend tax credits that make health insurance premiums more affordable for millions of Americans who bought it through the marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act.