Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that layoffs are expected within the federal government as the shutdown continues.

"We don't like that, we don't necessarily want to do it, but we're going to do what we have to — to keep the American people's essential services continuing to run," Vance said on Wednesday.

The government shut down at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday — just hours after Senate Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on a funding measure. Dueling bills each fell short of the 60 votes needed, with lawmakers largely sticking to party lines. Votes on the same measures failed on Wednesday.

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Democrats opposed the Republican-backed continuing resolution, which maintains current funding leve

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