The U.S. federal government has entered a shutdown after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on a budget. This political impasse halts funding for government operations and is expected to cause widespread disruption, placing approximately 800,000 federal employees—about 40% of the workforce—on unpaid leave.
### Air Travel Delays
Air travel is expected to face significant disruptions. While essential employees like air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are required to work, they will do so without pay until the shutdown ends. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, this led to an increase in workers calling in sick, causing significant airport delays. Additionally, Americans planning international travel may face longer processing times for passports.
### Impact on Federal Workers
Federal employees will bear the most direct impact of the shutdown. Non-essential workers will be furloughed, or forced to stay home without pay. While these employees have historically received back pay after past shutdowns, government contractors are often not compensated for lost work. Key agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health, are expected to furlough a large portion of their staff, potentially disrupting ongoing research.
### National Parks and Federal Lands
National Parks and other federal lands face an uncertain situation. During past shutdowns, these areas have been closed to the public. However, a more recent approach of keeping parks open without staff led to reports of widespread vandalism, littering, and damage to natural and historical sites. Citing these concerns, a group of over 40 former park superintendents has urged the White House to fully close the parks this time to prevent similar damage. As the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks noted, “We don’t leave museums open without curators…and we should not leave our national parks open without National Park Service workers.”
### Cultural Institutions and Zoos
Popular cultural institutions will also be affected. Washington D.C.’s Smithsonian museums plan to use prior-year funding to remain open for a short period. However, services will be reduced. At the National Zoo, run by the Smithsonian, animal care will continue, but non-essential features like the popular live webcams of its pandas, lions, and elephants will be shut down.
### Health and Social Programs
Essential social safety net programs will face significant strain. While major health programs like Medicare and Medicaid will continue to operate, potential staffing shortages could cause service interruptions. Food assistance programs are at high risk, with the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) expected to run out of funding quickly. The larger Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is projected to continue longer but is also vulnerable if the shutdown is prolonged. Additionally, the National Flood Insurance Program will be suspended, which could delay mortgage closings, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund may be depleted.
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