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The U.S. federal government shut down at midnight after Congress failed to reach an agreement on a short-term spending measure, triggering the first government closure in two years and sending hundreds of thousands of federal employees home without pay.
Negotiations collapsed late Tuesday night as lawmakers remained deadlocked over spending levels and policy riders. The shutdown halts many routine government operations while keeping essential services — from air traffic control to military defense — running with workers who will not be paid until funding is restored.
“This is a manufactured crisis,” said Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), the top Democrat on the subcommittee overseeing the General Services Administration. “It’s hurting families and disrupting services without saving taxpayers a dime.”
What the Shutdown Means
The shutdown affects every federal agency to some degree. Roughly 2.2 million civilian employees and 1.3 million active-duty military personnel will either be furloughed or required to work without pay until a funding deal is reached.
Essential government services, such as border security, air traffic control, and veterans’ hospitals, continue to operate. But many offices and programs — from small-business loan processing to scientific research grants — are on hold.
Impact on the Military and Veterans
The Pentagon said all active-duty service members will continue to serve, but paychecks will be suspended until Congress acts. Civilian defense employees deemed essential also must report for duty without pay.
The Department of Veterans Affairs said it will keep 97 percent of its workforce on the job to maintain health care and benefits delivery. But regional offices are closed, and some non-critical services, including grave maintenance and headstone placement, have been paused.
“Men and women in uniform shouldn’t have to worry about rent or groceries because Washington can’t do its job,” said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Air Travel Continues, but Strains Mount
Air traffic control towers remain staffed, allowing planes to keep flying. More than 13,000 air traffic controllers and thousands of technicians and safety specialists will continue working without pay.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it has suspended hiring and training new controllers and will pause non-essential safety inspections. Aviation industry groups warned that even a short shutdown could lead to lasting delays in certification and oversight.
“Every day this shutdown drags on, we risk losing skilled workers and setting back the progress made on aviation safety,” said the National Air Traffic Controllers Association in a statement.
Social Security and Medicare Payments Continue
Social Security checks and Medicare benefits will continue to go out as scheduled because they are funded separately from the annual appropriations process. However, a smaller staff at the Social Security Administration could mean delays for new applications, benefit adjustments, and call-center assistance.
Public Health Agencies Feel the Strain
The Department of Health and Human Services said about 32,000 of its nearly 80,000 employees have been furloughed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will continue to track disease outbreaks but has halted many of its public education campaigns and data updates.
The Food and Drug Administration said it will keep monitoring food and drug recalls and import screenings but suspend most long-term safety initiatives. Reviews of new drug and medical device applications are on hold, and the agency warned it cannot guarantee continued oversight of new animal feed ingredients, potentially affecting meat and dairy safety.
The National Institutes of Health is keeping its clinical center open for current patients but will not admit new ones except in emergencies. NIH also froze grant-making and research contracts with universities.
Education and Nutrition Programs
The Department of Education said Pell Grants and federal student loans will continue to be distributed, but about 95 percent of other employees are furloughed. Loan servicing continues, but borrowers may experience delays reaching support staff.
The Department of Agriculture said the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can continue benefits through the end of October using existing funds. However, officials warned that if the shutdown extends beyond that, future payments could be disrupted.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is already feeling strain in some states, with local offices reporting uncertainty over future funding.
National Parks, Museums and Federal Land
The National Park Service closed most parks and monuments early Tuesday morning. Rangers have been sent home, and public restrooms, visitor centers and campgrounds are shuttered. Sites that remain physically accessible are open at visitors’ own risk, with no emergency or maintenance services available.
The Smithsonian museums and National Zoo in Washington, D.C., are drawing on leftover funds to remain open through at least October 6, but will close afterward if Congress does not act.
Federal Workers and the Economy
Federal employees deemed “non-essential” were instructed not to report to work Tuesday. “Essential” employees — including TSA officers, border patrol agents, and federal law enforcement — must continue working without pay. All will receive back pay once the shutdown ends, but federal contractors, who often provide cleaning, maintenance and food services, are unlikely to be reimbursed.
Economists warn that even a brief shutdown could sap billions from the economy in lost wages and delayed contracts. The 2018–2019 shutdown, which lasted 35 days, cost the economy $11 billion, including $3 billion permanently lost, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
President Donald Trump, members of Congress and federal judges will continue receiving paychecks due to constitutional protections on their salaries.
As the impasse stretches into its first full day, both parties are blaming the other for the breakdown. House Republicans have demanded deeper cuts to domestic programs, while Democrats are pushing for a clean spending bill.
With no sign of progress, federal workers, families and businesses across the country are bracing for what could become a long and painful standoff.
