The government has officially shut down, resulting in closures and cutbacks at federal agencies and among workers, per The Hill.
On Wednesday (October 1), the federal government shut down after lawmakers failed to reach a funding agreement before Tuesday’s (September 30) deadline.
Senate Democrats rejected a Republican-backed short-term funding bill that would’ve kept the government running through November 21. Democrats demanded that the bill reverse Medicaid cuts passed in Trump’s summer spending package and extend tax credits for Affordable Care Act marketplace insurance plans. GOP leaders refused to negotiate, saying they wanted a “clean” funding bill with no policy changes.
With no deal, the Office of Management and Budget instructed federal agencies Tuesday night to begin “orderly shutdown activities.” According to the Congressional Budget Office, roughly 750,000 federal workers could be furloughed daily, costing about $400 million per day in lost compensation.
Essential personnel, such as air traffic controllers, military members, FBI agents, and TSA workers, will continue working without pay until funding resumes. Social Security checks will still go out, and Medicare and Veterans Affairs health care will continue. The U.S. Postal Service will also continue normal operations as it is funded independently.
The Department of Health and Human Services is set to furlough 41 percent of staff. The CDC will continue tracking outbreaks, but research and illness prevention efforts will pause. The NIH will continue caring for current patients, but won’t enroll new ones into clinical trials during the shutdown.
The FDA will delay or pause many functions, including reviewing new drug and medical device applications requiring user fees. National Parks will remain open, but with two-thirds of staff furloughed, services will be limited. Garbage accumulation or resource damage could force site closures.
The Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will stay open through at least Monday (October 6).
The OMB has also warned agencies about permanent layoffs for programs not aligned with Trump’s funding priorities. A memo advised agencies to target unfunded programs lacking alternative revenue.
Trump also hinted at taking “irreversible” action during the shutdown, threatening programs favored by Democrats.
“We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible, that are bad for them and irreversible by them,” the president said.
Federal workers, both furloughed and working without pay, are guaranteed back pay under a 2019 law. However, the delay could result in missed paychecks depending on how long the shutdown lasts. With both parties at a standstill, there’s no clear timeline for when the government will reopen.
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