GB News host Bev Turner has warned that the US is under a high-stakes Government shutdown, with political tensions mounting in Washington DC.

The Late Show presenter explained that while Republicans control both the White House and Capitol Hill, they require support from at least seven Democratic senators to approve the spending legislation.

The federal Government officially ceased operations at midnight on Tuesday, marking the first shutdown since 2019.

Approximately 750,000 federal employees face furloughs, whilst those deemed essential must continue working without immediate pay.

Critical services, including FBI operations, CIA activities, air traffic control and airport security, remain functional.

Military personnel stay on duty, and Social Security payments continue alongside Medicare services for elderly Americans.

Speaking on GB News, Bev said: "There is certainly political capital being made out of this very unusual event, with one side blaming the other.

"Now, remember, the Republicans have control of the white House and they have control of Capitol Hill.

Bev explained that whilst Republicans control both the White House and Capitol Hill, they require support from at least seven Democratic senators to approve the spending legislation

"They need at least seven Democrats in the Senate to join them to pass this particular spending package. But the Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, is demanding that the funding bill include subsidies for health care for illegal aliens.

"And that is the sticking point here. The majority of Americans polled today are saying that they think the shutdown is wrong, and the Government services should just start up again.

"And if I tell you the kind of things that will be affected by this, it is things like Social Security payments to old age pensioners, also to the disabled. It's the servicing of national parks.

"Of course, there are loads of those in America. The gates will be closed on some of those national parks. The bins won't get emptied in certain areas.

"The federal agencies here in DC will have their staff sent home, and that includes services such as a Department, such as Defence, Health and Human Services, Education, Homeland Security, Transportation, and even some courts.

"So it is an impasse. It is a standoff here in Washington DC and everybody is watching very closely as to whether the Republicans can win over those Democrats and get this spending over the line."

The Congressional Budget Office calculates the daily compensation cost for furloughed workers at roughly £320million.

Legislation passed in 2019 guarantees retroactive payment for all affected employees once normal operations resume, though workers may miss regular pay periods depending on the shutdown's duration.

President Trump issued warnings on Tuesday about implementing 'irreversible' measures

Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer have placed responsibility directly on President Donald Trump and Republicans, saying: "After months of making life harder and more expensive, Donald Trump and Republicans have now shut down the federal government because they do not want to protect the healthcare of the American people."

Republicans maintain that Democrats must accept an extension of existing funding for seven additional weeks.

Neither party shows willingness to compromise, with Republicans labelling Democratic healthcare proposals as financially unviable, potentially costing taxpayers over £800billion.

President Trump issued warnings on Tuesday about implementing "irreversible" measures during the shutdown, saying: "We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible, that are bad for them and irreversible by them. Like cutting vast numbers of people out, cutting things that they like, cutting programs that they like."

The White House Office of Management and Budget has suggested more severe measures than previous shutdowns, including potential permanent job eliminations for positions deemed inconsistent with presidential priorities.

This represents a significant departure from past practice, where furloughed workers simply returned once funding resumed.

Health and Human Services plans to furlough 41 per cent of its approximately 80,000 staff members.

The Centres for Disease Control will maintain disease outbreak monitoring but suspend research into health risks and prevention methods.