The IRS furloughed nearly half its staff as the government shutdown extended into its eighth day, stalling operations amid ongoing disputes over Obamacare premium tax credits between Democrats and Republicans.
- Approximately 40,000 employees of the Internal Revenue Service are furloughed, with most IRS operations halted due to the government shutdown that began over a week ago.
- The shutdown has escalated due to continued disagreements between the Democratic Party and Republican Party over funding for Obamacare premium tax credits, with no resolution in sight.
- The IRS's initial Lapsed Appropriations Contingency Plan allowed for only five business days of operations before the furloughs took effect, impacting federal government services significantly.
Why It Matters
This government shutdown illustrates the ongoing partisan gridlock in the United States Congress, affecting vital agencies like the Internal Revenue Service and potentially delaying tax services for millions of Americans.