美国政府还在局部关闭中

当前，美国联邦政府正陷入全面停摆的僵局。自 2025 年 10 月 1 日凌晨起，由於国会未能在预算案上达成共识，联邦资金正式到期，政府运作陷入中断。这场停摆，既是一场政治角力的延续，也再次凸显了美国政治分歧的深层裂痕。

一、停摆的导火线

导致此次政府关闭的核心原因，源自於国会两党在联邦预算与支出优先顺序上的分歧。共和党与民主党就医疗补贴、边境安全经费、教育资助与国防预算等议题僵持不下。由於眾议院未能在截止日期前通过临时拨款法案（Continuing Resolution），联邦政府失去了资金来源，进而导致停摆。

政治观察人士指出，这并非单纯的预算争执，而是一场关乎政策方向与政治权力的博弈。双方都试图藉由「关门施压」来争取民意支持，却让全国陷入行政停摆的困境。

二、停摆的影响范围

此次停摆波及面广，影响深远。根据联邦人事管理局（OPM）资料，约有九十万名联邦僱员被迫休假（furloughed），另有数十万人虽继续工作，却暂时无薪。

多数非「核心服务」机构停止运作——包括国家博物馆、国家动物园与多处联邦公园均暂时关闭。国税局（IRS）的服务延迟，社会安全署（SSA）人力缩减，签证与护照审批时间也随之拉长。对一般民眾而言，日常生活虽未全面停滞，但行政效率大幅下降，特别是对依赖联邦援助的群体影响尤重。

值得注意的是，这次停摆中，一些部门甚至啟动了裁员（RIF）程序，显示政府财务压力与政治对峙已达临界点。

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、政治与社会的双重压力

政府关闭不仅是行政问题，更是一场制度与信任的危机。歷史上，美国政府曾多次因预算争议而关门，但这一次的持续时间与政治氛围更显紧张。民调显示，多数美国民眾对政客「将国家运作当作筹码」感到厌倦，对政治体系的信任度进一步下降。

分析人士指出，这场停摆或将对经济带来连锁反应。若持续数週，消费信心、联邦合约、甚至航空与食品监管等领域皆可能受损。对企业而言，不确定性将使投资与招聘放缓；对民眾而言，则是生活秩序与心理安全感的双重打击。

四、结语：一场制度的镜照

政府停摆，表面上是预算的问题，实则反映出治理结构的深层困局。当权力制衡变成互相牵制、当妥协被视為软弱，美国政治便陷入自我僵化的循环。

如今，国会仍在艰难谈判之中，而白宫呼吁儘速通过临时拨款法案，以恢復政府运作。无论结果如何，这场停摆都已成為美国民主体系的一面镜子——照见分裂、照见固执，也提醒世人：当政治忘记了人民，国家终将被拖入停摆的阴影。