The looming US government shutdown threatens to cancel weddings, bin collections and a beloved livestream of pandas at the Washington, DC zoo.
Thousands of federal workers face being furloughed on Wednesday if the Senate does not pass a House measure to extend federal funding for seven weeks by Tuesday night’s deadline, potentially leading to widespread disruptions of government services.
At least seven Democratic votes are needed for the spending bill to pass through the Senate, but the party has so far dug its heels in, demanding any agreement must include healthcare guarantees for millions of Americans, which Republicans are opposed to.
As a result, agencies managing everything from national parks to museums and scientific research face going without funding until a spending bill is approved.
A shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass funding bills for some or all agencies, which cannot spend money without the approval of lawmakers.
Weddings suspended
Marriage licences and wedding ceremonies will be suspended in Washington, DC if the government shuts down at 12.01am on Wednesday, according to a plan issued by the District of Columbia Courts.
Last time the government shut down in 2019, Muriel Bowser, the DC mayor, signed into law the Let Our Vows Endure Emergency Act (Love), granting her the personal authority to issue the licenses and authorise ceremonies for 90 days as a stop-gap measure.
National parks also face disruption, with rangers likely to be placed on furlough meaning there will be no security or maintenance.
A letter, signed by 40 former park superintendents, has urged the administration to close parks to visitors in the event of a shutdown.
During Donald Trump’s first term, the administration pushed for parks to remain open despite the absence of rangers which led to instances of vandalism.
Prehistoric petroglyphs were vandalised at Big Bend national park in Texas and ancient trees were chopped down at Joshua Tree national park in California. Meanwhile, portaloos and bins were left to overflow.