In early October, the Senate failed to advance a GOP-backed measure that would have continued funding for the government. On October 23, in the midst of the shutdown, the Shutdown Fairness Act (which was intended to only pay “essential” workers) introduced by GOP senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin fell 6 votes short (54 to 45) of getting 60 votes to continue this bill.

This government shutdown all started when the parties disagreed on two major points: the Democrats’ idea to include an extension of expiring tax credits that make health insurance cheaper, and the Republican’s cuts to Medicaid, a government healthcare program used by elderly, disabled, and low-income people. After this argument, neither side could agree to pass a funding bill, and the government budget ran out. Reopening the government again means that the two parties have to agree on a bill that President Trump will sign.

The shutdown has caused financial pain for millions of low-income families and government employees. Approvals for loans and permits are delayed, as are reviews of stock listings. Government contractors also do not receive back pay once a shutdown ends, and many companies that support government projects also do not get paid which affects their workers.

President Trump warned that “non-essential” workers may not get paid; but on the other hand, US Representative Hakeem Jefferies said “The law is clear – every single furloughed federal employee is entitled to back pay, period.”

The previous government shutdown, which was also the longest shutdown in U.S. history, ended partly because large numbers of air traffic controllers began calling in sick, which caused flight disruption. During the current shutdown, air traffic controllers have again been calling in sick.

By an estimate, $800 million Dollars in federal contracts are not being paid each day. Goldman Sachs analyzes about 0.1-0.2% off of potential economic growth each week (about 15 billion Dollars each week). Losses during this crisis are harder to make up every day because the key holiday months November and December are coming up and the federal government worries this might hurt spending. This government shutdown creates more uncertainty for investors and politicians.

Even though political analysts say that the shutdown will end soon, the damage that this crisis has done to the market cannot be recovered in a short period of time.