Shutdown begins: Stalemate forces first U.S. government closure in 17 years

By Lori Montgomery and Paul Kane, Published: September 30 | Updated: Tuesday, October 1, 1:07 AM

View Photo Gallery — Government formally begins to shut down: The Senate rejected House amendments to a short-term spending bill Monday, pushing the government toward its first shutdown in nearly two decades.

The U.S. government began to shut down for the first time in 17 years early Tuesday, after a Congress bitterly divided over President Obama’s signature health-care initiative failed to reach agreement to fund federal agencies.

Shutdown Begins Stalemate Forces First U.S. Government Closure in 17 Years by nelvely