The federal government has officially shut down after a deadlocked Congress failed to pass a funding measure to keep the lights on – and no one inside the Capitol knows what will happen next.

The Senate on Monday is voting again on competing measures to reopen the US government, but neither resolution is expected to pass and the federal shutdown will probably continue for at least a few more days.

The government shutdown entered its 10th day Friday as Republicans and Democrats remain at an impasse over a spending plan. Follow live updates.

Healthcare funding exclusions emerged as a key sticking point for the mainly Democratic senators who opposed the Republicans’ H.R. 5371 funding bill.

The U.S. was headed towards its 15th government shutdown since 1981 on Tuesday, with Republicans and Democrats in Congress unable to agree on -- indeed not even appearing to negotiate -- a deal to fund federal agencies.

The 1977 shutdown, which held the record for the longest in U.S. history for just 12 months, was sparked by disagreements over whether Medicaid should fund abortion care. Democrats held majorities in both chambers of Congress.

Although the public sector shutdown affects travel to and within the U.S., the good news for travellers is that private operators in the tourism sector are less directly impacted. Hotels, private museums, restaurants and tour operators will continue to operate, but they may also suffer from delays, cancellations or border frictions.

White House memo suggests 750,000 furloughed federal workers may not get back pay despite 2019 law, sparking bipartisan concern among lawmakers.