With the government partially shut down as Trump and Democrats continue to disagree about funding, many Americans are wondering — what does this mean for me?
While the majority of US government agencies remain open during a shutdown, there are some programs that stop operating. The Office of Management and Budget, which oversees all federal agencies, has released guidelines identifying which activities may not continue without an approved appropriations bill or a continuing resolution (CR). This typically results in furloughing many employees and delays for certain services.
Programs that are considered essential during a shutdown include military operations, air traffic control, law enforcement and disaster aid. The Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health will continue with a limited staff, but their research could be delayed or affected by a lapse in funds. National parks will remain open but with fewer staff, which can lead to vandalism and littering. Food safety inspections will be disrupted, and passport processing and small business loans will be delayed.
Most direct-hired federal employees will be required to work during a shutdown and are paid back when the government reopens. Contractors working for the federal government are not guaranteed to receive back pay after a shutdown. In the past, when a shutdown occurred during a previous administration, many furloughed workers were later recalled once funding was restored. However, the Trump administration is threatening to use the current shutdown as an opportunity to identify “non-essential” workers for possible permanent layoffs.
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