what will happen if the government shut down

If the government shuts down, a variety of consequences occur due to the cessation of non-essential discretionary functions. Many federal employees are furloughed, meaning they are temporarily sent home without pay, though they may receive back pay after the shutdown ends. Essential services related to national security, public safety, and emergency response continue to operate but often with disrupted or delayed functions. Critical programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid continue because they are mandatory spending, but some related services may be limited. Other impacts include the closure of national parks and museums, suspension of food safety inspections, delays in loan and permit processing, and halted regulatory approvals. Air travel continues with essential personnel working without pay, but delays and decreased administrative support may occur. Federal contractors may lose pay entirely during the shutdown. Delays in passport, visa issuance, and immigration hearings are common, and programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) face funding challenges. The shutdown can also have economic consequences, such as reduced GDP growth and decreased confidence in the job market. Overall, the shutdown disrupts government services, harms public health and safety, and affects vulnerable populations most severely.