Essential Information on Government Shutdowns
Some critical workers remain on the job, continuing to fulfill essential government functions, including homeland protection.
If Congress does not secure funding for the government beyond December 20, a shutdown will occur. This situation could lead to significant consequences, although it may not be entirely negative.
The threat of a shutdown arises after President-elect Donald Trump commented on a bipartisan bill aimed to fund the government until March 14, which featured other legislative measures, including a one-year extension of the farm bill, disaster relief, and the transfer of control over RFK Memorial Stadium from the federal government to Washington, D.C.
House Republicans removed several elements from that proposal and introduced a new bill on the evening of December 19 that proposed suspending the debt ceiling until the end of January 2027.
This legislation, referred to as a continuing resolution, aimed to fund the government at current expenditure levels but was ultimately rejected with a vote of 235–174.
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Here’s what to expect if there is a government shutdown.
Essential Workers and Functions Continue
Even in the event of a government shutdown, not all employees are furloughed.
The government must still carry out its basic responsibilities, such as safeguarding the homeland. Essential personnel can be found in agencies like the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI.
Key employees also include Border Patrol agents, TSA agents, and FAA staff. Nonetheless, these agencies anticipate longer wait times, so travelers planning to fly to see loved ones may want to plan for earlier departures.
There are also “emergency employees,” who might not be classified as essential workers but are required to report for duty during natural disasters, power outages, or other situations that prevent large numbers of employees from working or necessitate the partial or total closure of their activities, as described by the Office of Personnel Management.
Workers who are active during a shutdown will not receive compensation during that time.
Medicare and Social Security Checks Still Go Out
Individuals who depend on Medicare and Social Security do not need to worry about those services being disrupted during a shutdown since those expenses fall under non-discretionary spending.
Nevertheless, processing times could be impacted during a shutdown.
National Parks and Smithsonian Museums Closed
If you’re interested in exploring the newest exhibit at one of the 21 Smithsonian Museums in the nation’s capital, you’re out of luck, as these museums, which don’t charge admission, would be forced to close temporarily during a shutdown.
Finally, if you’re eager to view a Raphael or a da Vinci at the National Gallery of Art, you’ll need to wait until the shutdown is resolved.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
