IT'S HAPPENING

U.S. Federal Government Shuts Down

For the first time in 17 years.

It's really happening. As of midnight Tuesday, the federal government has shut down after Congress failed to pass the spending bill. The Office of Management and Budget directed executive agencies to shut down just before midnight on Monday. The memo read: "We urge Congress to act quickly to pass a Continuing Resolution to provide a short-term bridge that ensures sufficient time to pass a budget for the remainder of the fiscal year, and to restore the operation of critical public services and programs that will be impacted by a lapse in appropriations." Still, Obama reassured that Obamacare is still in effect. From the president's Twitter account: "'The Affordable Care Act is moving forward. You can't shut it down.' —President Obama #Obamacare"