美國政府還在局部關閉中

當前，美國聯邦政府正陷入全面停擺的僵局。自 2025 年 10 月 1 日凌晨起，由於國會未能在預算案上達成共識，聯邦資金正式到期，政府運作陷入中斷。這場停擺，既是一場政治角力的延續，也再次凸顯了美國政治分歧的深層裂痕。

一、停擺的導火線

導致此次政府關閉的核心原因，源自於國會兩黨在聯邦預算與支出優先順序上的分歧。共和黨與民主黨就醫療補貼、邊境安全經費、教育資助與國防預算等議題僵持不下。由於眾議院未能在截止日期前通過臨時撥款法案（Continuing Resolution），聯邦政府失去了資金來源，進而導致停擺。

政治觀察人士指出，這並非單純的預算爭執，而是一場關乎政策方向與政治權力的博弈。雙方都試圖藉由「關門施壓」來爭取民意支持，卻讓全國陷入行政停擺的困境。

二、停擺的影響範圍

此次停擺波及面廣，影響深遠。根據聯邦人事管理局（OPM）資料，約有九十萬名聯邦僱員被迫休假（furloughed），另有數十萬人雖繼續工作，卻暫時無薪。

多數非「核心服務」機構停止運作——包括國家博物館、國家動物園與多處聯邦公園均暫時關閉。國稅局（IRS）的服務延遲，社會安全署（SSA）人力縮減，簽證與護照審批時間也隨之拉長。對一般民眾而言，日常生活雖未全面停滯，但行政效率大幅下降，特別是對依賴聯邦援助的群體影響尤重。

值得注意的是，這次停擺中，一些部門甚至啟動了裁員（RIF）程序，顯示政府財務壓力與政治對峙已達臨界點。

the U.S. federal government remains in shutdown

1. The Trigger: A Budget Deadlock

The shutdown began at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2025, when Congress failed to pass a continuing resolution to keep the government funded. At the heart of the dispute lies a deep political divide between Democrats and Republicans over key spending priorities — healthcare subsidies, education funding, immigration control, and defense allocations.

This is not merely a fiscal disagreement but a political standoff emblematic of Washington’s growing polarization. Each side seeks leverage: Republicans pushing for spending cuts and structural reforms, while Democrats defend social and healthcare programs. The result is a paralyzed system — a government unable to govern.

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2. The Scope of the Shutdown

Approximately 900,000 federal employees have been furloughed, while hundreds of thousands more are working without pay to maintain “essential services.” Museums, national parks, and the National Zoo are closed. Agencies like the IRS have slowed operations, passport and visa processing are delayed, and many research programs have been suspended.

Some departments have begun reduction-in-force (RIF) procedures — an unprecedented move during a government shutdown — signaling how serious and prolonged this impasse may become.

The shutdown’s ripple effects reach far beyond Washington. Contractors are losing business, families of furloughed workers are tightening budgets, and local economies that depend on federal spending are beginning to feel strain.

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3. The Political and Social Toll

This is not America’s first government shutdown, but it may be one of its most telling. It has become a crisis of governance rather than merely a lapse in funding.

Public frustration is mounting. Polls show that a majority of Americans blame politicians across the aisle for using the government as a bargaining chip. Confidence in institutions — already fragile — continues to erode.

Economists warn that a prolonged shutdown could slow national growth, delay federal contracts, and dampen consumer confidence. Even if essential services continue, the psychological impact — the sense of instability — is beginning to weigh on the American public.

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4. Reflection: A Mirror of Democracy

At its surface, a shutdown is about money. But in essence, it reflects a systemic fracture in American democracy. When checks and balances devolve into gridlock, and compromise is branded as weakness, the machinery of governance begins to fail.

The White House continues to urge Congress to pass a temporary funding bill, but negotiations remain stalled. Each day that passes without resolution deepens both the economic and moral costs.

In the end, this episode serves as a mirror — reflecting not just a divided government, but a divided nation.

It reminds the world, and Americans themselves, that democracy must be tended to — or it too may shut down.

三、政治與社會的雙重壓力

政府關閉不僅是行政問題，更是一場制度與信任的危機。歷史上，美國政府曾多次因預算爭議而關門，但這一次的持續時間與政治氛圍更顯緊張。民調顯示，多數美國民眾對政客「將國家運作當作籌碼」感到厭倦，對政治體系的信任度進一步下降。

分析人士指出，這場停擺或將對經濟帶來連鎖反應。若持續數週，消費信心、聯邦合約、甚至航空與食品監管等領域皆可能受損。對企業而言，不確定性將使投資與招聘放緩；對民眾而言，則是生活秩序與心理安全感的雙重打擊。

四、結語：一場制度的鏡照

政府停擺，表面上是預算的問題，實則反映出治理結構的深層困局。當權力制衡變成互相牽制、當妥協被視為軟弱，美國政治便陷入自我僵化的循環。

如今，國會仍在艱難談判之中，而白宮呼籲儘速通過臨時撥款法案，以恢復政府運作。無論結果如何，這場停擺都已成為美國民主體系的一面鏡子——照見分裂、照見固執，也提醒世人：當政治忘記了人民，國家終將被拖入停擺的陰影。