The 2025 government shutdown will affect millions of Americans, particularly federal employees, military personnel, and people relying on government services. Key impacts include:
- Around 40% of the federal workforce, about 750,000 individuals, will be furloughed without pay. Essential workers like servicemembers, federal law enforcement, TSA agents, Border Patrol, air traffic controllers, and some medical staff will continue working but without immediate pay.
- Federal employees and military personnel will miss paychecks during the shutdown, though they are typically owed back pay afterward.
- National parks, museums like the Smithsonian, and other government-funded cultural and recreational facilities will close or see limited operations.
- Passport processing, food inspections, disaster relief, and environmental protections will be slowed or halted.
- Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits will continue, but some agencies like the IRS face uncertainty with staffing and operations.
- Law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and CIA will operate without pay.
- Air travel may be disrupted due to fewer air traffic controllers and TSA workers reporting to work and potential delays.
- Federal contractors, including janitors and security guards, are not guaranteed pay and may not work.
Overall, this shutdown will disrupt many government functions and services, affect millions of federal employees and contractors, and cause inconvenience to citizens relying on government programs and travel safety.
