When the government shuts down, non-essential federal agencies are forced to cease operations due to lack of funding, leading to widespread impacts. Essential services like national security, public safety, and certain emergency responses continue but may face disruptions. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees are furloughed, meaning they temporarily lose their paychecks, although they typically receive back pay once the government reopens. Essential workers such as air traffic controllers, TSA officers, and military personnel must continue working but initially do not receive pay. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits generally continue, but their processing may slow down. In a shutdown:
- Many federal workers go without pay.
- National parks and some federal museums may close.
- Routine inspections by agencies like the FDA and EPA are delayed.
- Programs like WIC and SNAP that support vulnerable populations may face funding shortages.
- Passport and visa processing may slow.
- Economic activity can suffer billions in lost output, and consumer sentiment may decline.
The effects can grow worse the longer the shutdown persists, threatening low- income families, delaying public health and safety inspections, and disrupting government services nationwide.
