As of 12:01 a.m. on October 1, the federal government has shut down due to Congress’s inability to agree on funding extensions. This shutdown is expected to have significant repercussions across the country, affecting a range of services and programs.
One of the immediate effects will be felt by travelers. Air traffic controllers and most Transportation Security Administration employees are classified as “essential workers”. They will remain on duty, even without pay, to ensure the safety and security of air travel. However, if the shutdown prolongs, key personnel might engage in “sick-outs” due to frustration over missing pay, similar to what occurred during the prior government shutdown in 2018-2019.
For those planning international travel in the coming months, passport renewals may take longer than usual. While U.S. passport agencies will remain operational, some employees will be furloughed, which could lead to processing delays.
Despite the shutdown, the United States Postal Service (USPS) will continue its operations as usual. USPS is self-funded and does not rely on congressional appropriations to maintain its services, meaning mail delivery will not be affected.
Social Security, SNAP, WIC, and other safety net programs are also expected to continue during a government shutdown. However, it is important to note that there could be delays in processing applications. The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may face significant challenges, especially as it is at risk of running out of funding if the shutdown continues for more than a week. According to Georgia Machell, president and CEO of the National WIC Association, this program is crucial for supporting mothers and young children.
For the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, while it will last longer, there is still a risk of running out of funding if the shutdown is not resolved in a timely manner.
Federal workers and active-duty military personnel will face the brunt of the shutdown since they will not receive paychecks during this period. As highlighted by previous announcements from The White House, there is also a risk of mass layoffs affecting thousands of federal employees if the situation persists.
Due to the timing of the shutdown, federal employees will not receive their first missed paycheck until October 24, while military personnel will experience no pay on October 15. Notably, the Constitution mandates that members of Congress and the president continue to receive their salaries during this shutdown, although they can request to defer these payments, and some politicians have already chosen to do so.
It is confirmed that federal employees and military staff will be compensated with back pay once the shutdown is resolved.
The operations of national parks remain uncertain amid the shutdown. According to an internal National Park Service (NPS) memo seen by KQED, many parks will remain open, albeit without full staffing, as long as they can be accessed by the public. Parks that can be closed off physically will not be open to visitors.
During the previous government shutdown lasting from 2018 to 2019, parks remained accessible to the public, leading to reports of increased damage and trash in unattended areas. A Government Accountability Office report from September 2019 found that the earlier administration violated federal law by using entrance fees to keep parks open during a shutdown. This year’s shutdown threatens to disrupt seasonal activities, such as autumn camping in locations like New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs announced that state funds would not be utilized to keep Grand Canyon National Park operational in the event of a shutdown. Union leaders representing NPS employees express concerns that ongoing staffing shortages could adversely impact preparations for the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Weather forecasts will not be interrupted by the shutdown. The National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed that it will continue to provide regular forecasts and critical weather warnings throughout the shutdown. However, routine maintenance, upgrades, and long-term projects may experience delays.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will continue operations, as most employees are considered exempt in case of emergencies. Nonetheless, funding for FEMA, particularly from the Disaster Relief Fund, is dangerously low and dependent on congressional approval. Consequently, FEMA may face delays in reimbursements to states and local governments, and the National Flood Insurance Program, which FEMA administers and which serves as a crucial resource for flood insurance, is also at risk of lapsing due to lack of funding.
**State-Specific Impacts**
Alaska is particularly vulnerable due to its high percentage of federal employees. Around 15,000 federal employees live and work in Alaska. The prospect of termination notices for federal workers has created uncertainty for the state’s economy.
In California, just prior to the shutdown, KQED learned that the National Park Service plans to keep accessible parks open while closing those that aren’t. However, with NPS staffing down by nearly 24%, concerns about vandalism and poaching in the unstaffed parks are rising. Bill Wade, executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers, noted similar issues during the earlier shutdown in 2019, when trees were damaged at Joshua Tree National Park due to lack of oversight.
In Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park is a popular destination, and the state has been actively considering options to keep it operational. Governor Jared Polis has indicated that Colorado is willing to partner in utilizing limited state funds to maintain the park’s operations, urging the federal government to prioritize staff and operations at national parks.
Connecticut faces unique challenges given the presence of vital military establishments such as the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the U.S. Naval Submarine Base. The Coast Guard is unique in that it falls under the Department of Homeland Security, leading to complications during governmental budgeting crises. During the last shutdown, Coast Guard families turned to food pantries and local restaurant discounts to cope with financial strain.
In Louisiana, residents rely heavily on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which has seen multiple extensions from Congress since 2017. The NFIP, created to provide flood insurance to homeowners, is in jeopardy as funding has expired. Consequently, policyholders with expiring contracts face potential loss of coverage, alongside a dramatic decrease in available claims funding.
Oregon houses nearly 30,000 federal employees, with varied implications for each worker based on their agency. Approximately one-third of these employees work for the U.S. Postal Service and other organizations with independent funding and thus will not be affected. Another third includes essential personnel required to maintain public safety, such as transportation security and law enforcement workers, who will continue their duties without pay until the situation resolves. The final third represents part-time workers in agencies like the Forest Service, who will be furloughed.
In sum, the implications of the federal government shutdown are extensive and will be felt across a wide range of services, programs, and employees nationwide. Travelers, families relying on federal assistance, and federal workers will experience disruptions, while state-specific impacts highlight the shutdown’s localized consequences. As negotiations continue in Congress, the duration of the shutdown will define its broader repercussions for all Americans.
image source from：opb
