Government Shutdown Officially Underway
The U.S. federal government officially entered a shutdown on Oct. 1, 2025, after Congress failed to agree on a spending deal before the deadline.
What’s Still Functioning
Not all services are halted. Agencies operating under mandatory spending, as well as “essential” personnel, continue to work during the shutdown.
Examples include:
Law enforcement, intelligence, national security, and military operations
Air traffic control and airport security
Social Security and Medicare payments
Veterans’ care and benefit processing
U.S. Postal Service, which remains unaffected because it doesn’t rely on annual appropriations
Who Gets Furloughed
Non-essential federal employees will be furloughed until funding is restored. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that about 750,000 federal workers could be furloughed daily during the shutdown, amounting to roughly $400 million in lost daily compensation.
Notably, the Department of Health and Human Services plans to furlough approximately 41% of its workforce. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may suspend much of its research, while the National Institutes of Health (NIH) expects to curtail new study enrollments and program expansions.
Possible Permanent Layoffs
A new twist in this shutdown: the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has instructed agencies to prepare reduction-in-force (RIF) plans. This directive could lead to permanent elimination of positions in agencies whose work falls outside the president’s priorities, rather than simply temporary furloughs.
Political Showdown
A Senate vote meant to end the shutdown failed as Democrats held firm on demands to renew health care subsidies tied to the Affordable Care Act, which Republicans and the Trump administration refuse to include.
Republicans counter that Democrats are insisting on policy changes as a condition for reopening the government.
The White House and OMB have threatened to withhold support for programs and even push through firings if the impasse continues.
What This Means for You
Expect delays in many federal services, applications, and regulatory reviews.
Some parks and historic sites may reduce operations or close, depending on local arrangements.
If you’re a federal employee, your paycheck could be delayed, though you are legally guaranteed retroactive pay once a budget is passed.
