How a government shutdown could impact you

With Democrats and Republicans locked in a high-stakes battle over healthcare policy, a looming government shutdown could happen at midnight Tuesday. Here's what and who it could impact.

With Democrats and Republicans locked in a high-stakes battle over healthcare policy, a looming government shutdown could happen at midnight Tuesday. Here's what and who it could impact.

What is the government shutdown? Well, like the name implies, it's when various government run agencies and departments shut down. So how do we get here and what typically happens when we do? We're helping you get the facts. *** shutdown happens when Congress fails to pass *** short term or year-long budget and the government legally loses its authority to spend money. It's often *** result of political gridlock when lawmakers in Washington clash. Sometimes the threat of *** shutdown can be used as political leverage. To get others to agree to certain policies, but when *** shutdown happens, not all government operations close completely. Agencies enact *** contingency plan that splits duties and staff into essential and non-essential pools. The non-essential operations are first to stop. Typically that means things like visitor services at national parks could come to *** halt, and sometimes certain loans or research grants won't be processed. But essential services, those needed to protect. Life and property continue. Postal service employees go to work and usually active duty military and air traffic controllers are on the job, meaning you'll still be able to fly and get your mail. You'll still get your Social Security checks too, and other government benefits like snap and wick will usually depend on what money is left over from prior year spending, but the impact of *** shutdown can be felt even after it's over. That's because anything that shuts down likely created ***. Backlog meaning there could be *** longer wait for certain government services and for hundreds of thousands of federal workers across the country, *** shutdown means uncertainty in past shutdowns, some are furloughed, sent home without pay, while others who are deemed essential may have to work without pay until the shutdown's over. That's because the law requires them to get back pay, but many government contractors don't see the money they've lost at all. Reporting in Washington, I'm Amy Lou.

Updated: 5:36 PM CDT Sep 29, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

How a government shutdown could impact you

With Democrats and Republicans locked in a high-stakes battle over healthcare policy, a looming government shutdown could happen at midnight Tuesday. Here's what and who it could impact.

Updated: 5:36 PM CDT Sep 29, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

A high-stakes showdown in Washington, D.C., is unfolding as Democrats refuse to pass a budget without Republicans agreeing to reverse cuts to Medicaid and protect Affordable Care Act subsidies.The political gridlock is increasing the chance of a government shutdown if no agreement is reached by midnight Tuesday. Every shutdown is different, and this time around, several government agencies are preparing to implement their own contingency plans if a shutdown happens.Generally speaking, the first things to stop during a government shutdown are non-essential services, which may include national parks and museums halting visitor services or closing to the public completely. New small business loan applications could also stop processing, and certain research and education grants may stop. Other things, like essential services, including air traffic control, TSA, military operations, and mail delivery, will continue. Social Security checks, veterans, and disability benefits will also carry on.Experts say food assistance programs like WIC and SNAP could stop if there is no prior funding left, with one expert saying WIC could quickly run out of funds, putting families at risk if a shutdown lasts more than a week. “WIC has always remained open for business during government shutdowns. However, the timing of this shutdown threat at the start of the fiscal year puts WIC at risk of rapidly running out of funds. A prolonged federal government shutdown of more than one week puts WIC families at risk," CEO and President of the National WIC Association, Georgia Machell, said in a statement. "In the event of a shutdown, it is crucial that the administration use every available tool - including WIC’s contingency fund - to ensure that families do not lose access to WIC’s healthy food benefits.”Federal workers are usually the first directly impacted by a shutdown. With well over 140,000 in D.C. and thousands more across the country, many, deemed as essential employees, will stay on the job, including some without pay. Government contractors are also usually not paid. Meanwhile, others may be furloughed and not paid until the shutdown ends, and this time around, the government is threatening to potentially permanently lay off workers if lawmakers can't reach an agreement.The consequence of a shutdown could indirectly impact everyone. With limited staff and a growing backlog of services, wait times and operations during and after a shutdown will likely grow.At least one expert says that unless congressional leaders and President Donald Trump reach a consensus, a shutdown is almost guaranteed to happen and could last for some time, as both Republicans and Democrats appear too far apart to reach a deal by Tuesday's deadline.The last time the government shut down was back in 2018, under Trump's first term, lasting a total of 35 days and costing taxpayers dearly. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that about $3 billion was permanently lost in that shutdown.Watch the latest on the looming government shutdown:

WASHINGTON —

A high-stakes showdown in Washington, D.C., is unfolding as Democrats refuse to pass a budget without Republicans agreeing to reverse cuts to Medicaid and protect Affordable Care Act subsidies.

The political gridlock is increasing the chance of a government shutdown if no agreement is reached by midnight Tuesday.

Every shutdown is different, and this time around, several government agencies are preparing to implement their own contingency plans if a shutdown happens.

Generally speaking, the first things to stop during a government shutdown are non-essential services, which may include national parks and museums halting visitor services or closing to the public completely. New small business loan applications could also stop processing, and certain research and education grants may stop.

Other things, like essential services, including air traffic control, TSA, military operations, and mail delivery, will continue. Social Security checks, veterans, and disability benefits will also carry on.

Experts say food assistance programs like WIC and SNAP could stop if there is no prior funding left, with one expert saying WIC could quickly run out of funds, putting families at risk if a shutdown lasts more than a week.

“WIC has always remained open for business during government shutdowns. However, the timing of this shutdown threat at the start of the fiscal year puts WIC at risk of rapidly running out of funds. A prolonged federal government shutdown of more than one week puts WIC families at risk," CEO and President of , Georgia Machell, said in a statement. "In the event of a shutdown, it is crucial that the administration use every available tool - including WIC’s contingency fund - to ensure that families do not lose access to WIC’s healthy food benefits.”

Federal workers are usually the first directly impacted by a shutdown. With well over 140,000 in D.C. and thousands more across the country, many, deemed as essential employees, will stay on the job, including some without pay. Government contractors are also usually not paid.

Meanwhile, others may be furloughed and not paid until the shutdown ends, and this time around, the government is threatening to potentially permanently lay off workers if lawmakers can't reach an agreement.

The consequence of a shutdown could indirectly impact everyone. With limited staff and a growing backlog of services, wait times and operations during and after a shutdown will likely grow.

says that unless congressional leaders and President Donald Trump reach a consensus, a shutdown is almost guaranteed to happen and could last for some time, as both Republicans and Democrats appear too far apart to reach a deal by Tuesday's deadline.

The last time the government shut down was back in 2018, under Trump's first term, lasting a total of 35 days and costing taxpayers dearly. that about $3 billion was permanently lost in that shutdown.

Watch the latest on the looming government shutdown:

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