A government shutdown affects a wide range of people and services across the United States. Key groups impacted include:
- Federal employees and military personnel who may face furloughs or work without pay during the shutdown, with paychecks delayed until the government reopens.
- Travelers could experience delays due to reduced staff at airports, although air traffic controllers and most TSA personnel are considered essential workers and remain on duty without pay.
- Beneficiaries of federal assistance programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid generally continue to receive payments, but there may be delays or reduced service availability.
- Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition assistance could face funding challenges affecting vulnerable families.
- Many government services considered nonessential will be suspended, including some national parks and museums, immigration court hearings, and routine inspections by agencies like the FDA.
- Federal contractors may not work and may not receive pay during the shutdown period.
Overall, a shutdown disrupts government operations, delays services, and impacts livelihoods, especially for those dependent on federal employment or programs.
