what will happen in a government shutdown

A government shutdown happens when Congress fails to pass funding legislation to keep the federal government operating. During a shutdown, all non-essential federal government operations stop, and many federal employees are furloughed without pay. Essential services related to national security, public safety, and emergency care continue, but without immediate pay for workers. Key impacts include delays in services like passport and visa processing, suspension of routine inspections by agencies such as the FDA and EPA, interruption or reduction of nutrition assistance programs like WIC and SNAP, and overall disruption in federal housing and loan programs. Federal employees and active-duty military personnel may miss paychecks, though they typically receive back pay once the shutdown ends. The shutdown can also slow down economic activity and negatively affect public services, with some low-income families and vulnerable individuals at risk due to halted assistance programs. National parks, museums, and certain court hearings may close or be delayed during the shutdown. Services like Social Security and Medicare payments still continue but may face administrative delays. The U.S. Postal Service operates normally as it is self-funded. Past shutdowns have cost the economy billions and caused widespread operational delays and workforce disruptions.