New Delhi: In the United States, thousands of federal workers will be unable to report for work on Monday, as efforts to reach a compromise ahead of the working week failed yesterday. The failure to agree on a deal means many federal employees will be furloughed on unpaid leave until the stalemate is resolved. However, essential federal services and military activity are continuing. 

The shutdown began at midnight on Friday, when lawmakers failed to agree on an extension to federal funding. The Senate set a vote for midday today on advancing a measure to provide temporary government funding through February 8.

The crisis started on Friday when the Democrats refused to support another short-term government funding extension demanding that the President Donald Trump to negotiate over immigration as part of a budget deal but Republicans say no agreement is possible while federal government services are closed. 

Republicans also want that funding for border security including a proposed border wall with Mexico and immigration reforms, as well as increased military spending. There have been four government shutdowns since 1990. In the last one, in 2013, more than 800,000 government workers were put on temporary leave.