what happens if the us government shuts down

If the U.S. government shuts down due to Congress failing to pass a funding bill, all non-essential federal government functions stop until funding is restored. Non-essential federal employees—about 40% or 800,000 workers—are furloughed, meaning they are put on unpaid leave temporarily, though they generally receive back pay once the shutdown ends. Essential workers, such as active-duty military, federal law enforcement, air traffic controllers, and TSA officers, continue working but do not receive paychecks during the shutdown. Key consequences include travel delays due to fewer air traffic controllers reporting to work, slower passport and visa processing, closure of national parks and Smithsonian museums, and disruption in some federal services including research activities at agencies like the NIH and CDC. Programs funded by mandatory appropriations or other sources, such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and USPS mail delivery, typically continue but may experience service slowdowns. Federal contractors usually do not receive back pay and lose work during the shutdown. There are also potential long-term impacts, such as delayed emergency management projects and reductions in food safety inspections. While Congress members and the President continue to be paid during the shutdown, many federal workers and military personnel face missed paychecks, which can lead to financial hardships. Moreover, widespread furloughs or layoffs could occur if the shutdown extends for a long period or funding is not restored quickly.