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Government Shutdown Information

Due to a lapse in government funding, the federal government will enter a shutdown at midnight on September 30, 2025. Rest assured, I am hard at work trying to break the logjam in Congress and ensure that we fulfill our most fundamental responsibility. In the meantime, my office remains available to assist constituents with urgent needs during the government shutdown. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact me at 805-379-1779.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Why does the government shut down? 

The government shuts down when Congress is unable to pass appropriations bills that finance the operations of federal agencies and programs, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These appropriations bills are designed to fund the government until the conclusion of each fiscal year, which ends on September 30. Currently, the government is funded through that date. If a new appropriations bill isn’t enacted by this deadline, Congress needs to pass a temporary measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), which sustains the government’s funding at its current level. For instance, a CR passed this year would maintain funding at Fiscal Year 2025 levels. In the absence of an approved appropriations bill or a CR, the government faces a shutdown due to lack of appropriated funding.

What government services and programs are impacted during a government shutdown, and what effect does this have on the public?

A government shutdown, whether partial or full, impacts a variety of services and programs. During the 2018-2019 partial shutdown, the Food and Drug Administration suspended routine inspections, increasing public health risks. The National Park Service stopped trash collection and road repairs, creating unsanitary conditions and unsafe roads, while some national parks and museums closed entirely. Additionally, over 86,000 immigration court hearings were canceled, exacerbating existing backlogs. The shutdown also threatened the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program in some states, putting low-income families and children at risk. These disruptions illustrate how shutdowns can detrimentally affect public services and society’s most vulnerable members.

What government services and programs remain uninterrupted during a shutdown?

During a government shutdown, essential services related to national security and public safety, like inpatient and emergency medical care, air traffic control, law enforcement, border security, disaster aid, and power grid maintenance, continue, though they may face disruptions. For instance, during the 2018-2019 shutdown, air traffic controllers worked without pay, causing widespread delays and even a temporary halt of incoming flights at LaGuardia airport. Services independent of annual appropriations bills, such as the U.S. Postal Service and programs like Social Security and Medicare, also continue, but may experience interruptions due to lack of staffing. For example, during the Fiscal Year 1996 shutdown, most Social Security Administration staff were initially furloughed, leading to delays in services like public inquiries and benefit claims processing, even though Social Security benefits remained funded.

What happens to federal employees during a shutdown?

Federal employees from shut-down agencies are either furloughed—prohibited from work and unpaid—or required to work without pay if their roles are deemed essential to public safety. While Congress has traditionally approved retroactive payment for these employees once the government reopens, this does not prevent the immediate financial difficulties they face. Following the 2019 Shutdown, Congress passed the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, which provides immediate retroactive back pay to federal employees after a shutdown ends. During the 2018-2019 partial government shutdown, around 2 million people were employed by the federal government; 380,000 of them were furloughed, and 420,000 worked without pay. Many delayed mortgage or credit card payments, risking late fees or loan defaults. In 2013, there were over 2 million federal employees, with about 850,000 furloughed during the shutdown. Government contractors, unlike direct federal employees, typically do not receive back pay after shutdowns. In the 2018-2019 shutdown, it’s estimated that 4.1 million people worked under government contracts, though the exact number of those furloughed is unclear.

Which federal employees keep working during a government shutdown?

When the government shuts down, federal agencies are required to classify their employees whose salaries have lapsed as either “excepted” or “not excepted.” The employees classified as “excepted” work without pay during the shutdown. The employees classified as “not excepted” are put on unpaid furlough.

What is the process to end a government shutdown, and can the President unilaterally end it?

To end a government shutdown, Congress needs to pass, and the President must sign appropriations bills to fund the departments and agencies that have been shut down. The President does not have the power to end a shutdown unilaterally. The funding bills follow the same legislative process as any other bill, requiring approval from both the House and Senate before the President can sign them into law.

What is the impact of a government shutdown on the public and the U.S. economy?

Shutdowns are detrimental to both the public, who face service and program disruptions, and federal employees, who are either furloughed or required to work without pay. Moreover, they pose a significant strain on government resources. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and federal agencies need to develop and implement shutdown plans, a process that requires substantial staff time and resources, potentially detracting from public services. Shutdowns also cause revenue losses, such as those from visitor fees or gift store sales when national parks close. Additionally, shutdowns negatively impact the economy. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the 2018-2019 shutdown cost the U.S. economy $11 billion, mainly due to federal workers reducing their spending in response to lost pay. Notably, this decrease in spending may not rebound even after workers receive their back pay.

What is the impact on US military personnel?

The Department of Defense will continue defending our nation and all military personnel will continue their usual duty. However, our service members will not receive pay during the shutdown. It is unacceptable that the men and women who put their lives on the line for our nation are going unpaid, which places an enormous strain on military families struggling to make ends meet, to pay their rent or mortgage payments, and to put food on the table.

Will I continue to receive my Social Security?

A shutdown will not impact ongoing Social Security benefit payments, but be aware that new benefit verification and card issuance services will cease, meaning new recipients may see delays in processing their claims. You may also experience difficulty reaching the Social Security Administration, as some employees may be furloughed.

Will Medicare or Medicaid be interrupted?

Medicare and Medicaid will continue for the foreseeable future, but you may experience difficulty reaching these agencies as some employees are furloughed. 

Will Open Enrollment on CoveredCA.com still take place?

The Covered California insurance marketplace open enrollment will be unaffected. Open Enrollment will proceed as normal from November 1, 2025, through January 31, 2026.

Can veterans still get treatment at the VA or access other services?

Most functions within the Veterans Health Administration will continue, and veterans will continue to receive compensation and pension payments. However, Veterans Benefits Administration staff may be furloughed, impacting processing of new education, pension, and disability claims.

Is USPS still delivering mail?

All services under the Postal Service will continue unimpacted throughout the government shutdown. USPS is not funded through government appropriations.

Will my student loans continue to be disbursed?

Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans can continue to be obligated and make disbursement during a shutdown, but only as long as carryover and mandatory appropriations last. However, department staff needed to carry out and support these functions are significantly reduced. Free Applications for Student Aid (FAFSA), Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans could continue for a “very limited time” under a shutdown. If the shutdown continues for an extended period, school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages due to lapsed federal funding.

Should I cancel my upcoming travel?

You can and should continue to enjoy your travel plans! TSA officers and Air Traffic Controllers are considered essential and are reporting to work throughout the shutdown. However, please have patience with any delays and keep in mind that both TSA and air traffic controllers are currently working without pay.

I’m coming to DC, will my tours still take place?

Unfortunately, tour guides and visitor centers of DC’s government buildings are considered non-essential and have been closed. This means that all tours of the U.S. Capitol, White House, FBI Building, Library of Congress, National Archives, Supreme Court, State Department, Historic Treasury Building, and Bureau of Engraving and Printing have been canceled during the shutdown. The White House is also closed for tours until further notice due to the construction of President Trump’s ballroom. All Smithsonian museums, including the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, will also be closed.

What about international travel?

All services at international embassies and consulates will continue during a lapse of appropriations. If you are abroad and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Will my passport renewal still be processed?

Passport applications will continue to be processed. The Bureau of Consular Affairs/Passport Services is designated as an essential service provider and is funded through passport fees, so all of Passport Services, including agencies and the National Passport Information Center, will remain open during a lapse of appropriations.

Will immigration applications still be processed?

Visa and passport operations are fee-funded and thus are not normally impacted by a lapse in appropriations. Immigration court cases on the detained docket will proceed during a lapse in congressional appropriations while non-detained docket cases will be reset for a later date when funding resumes. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement will retain the vast majority of their employees during a shutdown. Immigration offices will remain open, and all applicants should attend interviews and appointments as scheduled. However, several USCIS programs will either expire or suspend operations or be otherwise affected until they receive appropriated funds or are reauthorized by Congress. These include: E-Verify, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program, Conrad 30 J-1 doctors, and non-minister religious workers, which are suspended or otherwise impacted.

Are National Parks closed?

The majority of National Park sites will be closed completely to public access. The public is strongly encouraged not to visit National Parks during the lapse in appropriations out of consideration for our natural resources and for visitor safety. Visitor centers will be closed, gates will be locked, entrance fees won’t be collected, educational programs will be canceled, and campsites won’t be staffed. Restrooms will be closed and services like trash collection and road maintenance will be suspended. Parks will also not provide regular road or trail condition updates. There are also limited emergency/rescue services, and safety updates will not be published.

I have an issue with a government agency, can I still call them for help? Can you help me instead?

Due to the lapse in funding, many agencies have furloughed workers, so their help desks may have little or no staffing. You are encouraged to contact any agency to learn if they are still able to assist you at this time. You can also contact my office to open a case for you. We can contact an agency on your behalf and provide you with updates if they are open or when they re-open at the conclusion of a shutdown.

I already have a case open with your office, should I do anything during the shutdown?

My office is continuing to submit inquiries to federal agencies, including requesting updates on constituents’ behalf, submitting paperwork, and opening new cases. We will provide you with an update as soon as it is available.

I rely on food programs like SNAP and WIC, will I keep getting my payments?

SNAP payments will continue as normal until funding runs out. Most other domestic nutrition assistance programs, like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), will only continue operating at the state and local level.