Many of them align with Democratic views,” Trump remarked to journalists from the Oval Office. “The shutdown led by Republicans has commenced because they refused to safeguard America’s healthcare system,” he stated. Postal Service, military operations, and entitlement programs including Social Security and nutrition assistance will remain operational during the shutdown. In the 100-seat Senate, funding legislation needs 60 affirmative votes—exceeding the Republican majority by seven. Since 1976, when the contemporary budgeting framework was established by Congress, the federal government has experienced 21 closures.