The White House has ordered US government departments to shutdown after a deadline for Congress to agree on a spending Bill passed without agreement.

The heated battle over the budget centred on Republican efforts to halt President Barack Obama’s healthcare reforms. The price to pay for their support was for the Democrats to delay Obamacare.

The stand-off between the two led to a flurry of proposals sent back and forth with neither side willing to give ground.

President Obama earlier warned both sides of the very real economic impact a shut down would have.

All but some key government services will be closed and remain so until Congress resolves its differences which could be a matter of days or weeks.