The U.S. government shutdown refers to Congress's failure to pass a temporary funding bill, causing non-essential departments to suspend operations due to a lack of funds. The primary reason is the budget disagreement between the two parties, such as the Republicans pressuring for spending cuts in 2023 and the Democrats refusing to compromise. The impact affects public services (national parks closing, visa delays) and about 800,000 employees being furloughed, which temporarily drags down the economy (GDP growth rate declines). Essentially, it is a product of political polarization, and a resolution requires negotiation and compromise between the two parties.