by Xiong Maoling, Hu Yousong, Li Rui

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) - The U.S. federal government entered a shutdown on Wednesday, marking the first shutdown in nearly seven years. Here, landmarks such as the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol building were closed to the public, leaving many visitors disappointed and worried.

At the foot of the Washington Monument, Larae Anderson, who had driven from Arizona to the U.S. capital city with her husband and four children, said they had planned to visit the top of the monument but only learned of its closure at the entrance.

"We were kind of taken off guard this time with them not being able to agree to keep the government open," she told Xinhua, hoping the two parties in Congress could put aside their differences and "get everything back open."

Near the U.S. Capitol, Pat and her husband from the northwestern U.S. Washington State were visiting the capital city for the first time. "We wanted to tour the inside of the Capitol, but we can't now," she told Xinhua, calling the situation "mildly disappointing."

The current shutdown has not yet affected the many museums under the Smithsonian Institution, much to the relief of numerous visitors. The Smithsonian previously announced that it would use funds from the previous fiscal year to keep its museums and the National Zoo open at least through Oct. 6.

A staff member at one of the museums told Xinhua that if the government shutdown continues for a longer period, several museums could also be forced to close.

The shutdown's impact extends well beyond tourists. "Shutdowns can be disruptive, leading to delays in processing applications for passports, small business loans, or government benefits; shuttered visitor centers and bathrooms at national parks; fewer food-safety inspections; and other various inconveniences," said a recent article published by the Brookings Institution.

Federal employees may face even greater impacts. During a government shutdown, employees providing "essential services," such as air traffic controllers and law enforcement personnel, continue to work without pay, while hundreds of thousands of others face unpaid leave until funding is restored.

During the 35-day government shutdown from late 2018 to early 2019, some federal employees faced financial difficulties, with many even relying on food banks for free meals.

According to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, the 35-day shutdown -- the longest shutdown in U.S. history -- cost the U.S. economy approximately 3 billion U.S. dollars in gross domestic product (GDP).

"I think the longer it goes on, the more impact it will have," said Pat, expressing hope that this government shutdown would not last as long.

Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats continued to blame each other, showing no signs of compromise. On Wednesday, the Senate voted on the same two bills that it had failed to pass on Tuesday night -- one from Democrats and one from Republicans -- and failed to pass either.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said on the social media platform X that "Republicans shut down the government because they can't be bothered to protect health care for Americans across this country." Schumer again rejected the Republican claim that Democrats are trying to provide healthcare to "undocumented immigrants," calling it a "lie."

At a White House press briefing on Wednesday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said: "If this thing drags on for another few days, or another few weeks, we are going to have to lay people off."

"That is the reality of the government shutdown that Chuck Schumer, the Democrats have foisted upon the administration," Vance added.

Nadine Seiler, who drove 45 minutes from Waldorf, Maryland, to protest at the Capitol, told Xinhua that she is deeply disappointed because "this administration is just not working for the people." She said that the average American will be hit hard by the government shutdown.

When asked whether the two parties could reach an agreement in the short term, Seiler said, "I have no confidence in it."

Looking somewhat solemn, Dave Withrow from Wisconsin who was visiting Washington told Xinhua that he expects this government shutdown could last a while. "Because our government is broke. They can't seem to do anything," he said. ■