A government shutdown in the U.S. affects the country by halting or disrupting many non-essential federal government services and programs due to a lapse in funding. Key consequences include furloughing about 40% of federal workers (around 800,000 people) who do not receive pay during the shutdown, potential delays or suspensions in services such as air travel security and passport processing, closure or reduced operations in national parks and museums, interruptions in routine inspections by agencies like the FDA and EPA, and strains on nutrition programs like WIC and SNAP which support vulnerable populations. Essential services related to national security, public safety, emergency medical care, and disaster response continue operating, but often with staffing challenges and without immediate pay for workers such as air traffic controllers and TSA agents. The shutdown also leads to delays in pay for federal employees and military personnel and negatively impacts the economy and public confidence. Some federal contractors may lose work and are often unpaid during the shutdown. While benefits like Social Security and Medicaid continue, there may be delays in processing. The situation causes widespread disruptions affecting everyday life and government-dependent services until a funding agreement is reached and the government reopens.
