The U.S. government has begun a partial shutdown for the first time in 17 years after Congress failed to break a partisan deadlock by a midnight deadline. Some 800,000 federal workers are to be furloughed, and more than a million others will be asked to work without pay. The shutdown was spearheaded by tea party Republicans who backed a House bill tying continued government funding to a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act and the repeal of a tax to pay for it. The Democratic-controlled Senate insisted on funding the government through November 15 without conditions. On Monday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said House Republicans have failed the nation.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi: “As we gather here right near Statuary Hall, I’m reminded that President Washington, when he was leaving office, cautioned against political parties that were at war with their own government. And here we are tonight. You do not use the threat of shutting down government to try to advance your policy agenda. That’s just not the way it works. And that’s what is called irresponsible, and that is why this is the tea party government shutdown.”