Millions of federal employees are facing unpaid leave as the US government begins its first shutdown in seven years, and essential services like air travel are being affected. Find out what this budget stalemate means for the future and how it impacts regular Americans.
After Republicans and Democrats were unable to reach an agreement on a budget, the US government shut down for the first time in seven years on October 1.Americans may experience extensive disruptions in areas ranging from employment to air travel as a result of the closure, which impacts the financing of government operations in October and possibly beyond.
According to estimates, including one from the BBC, the political impasse is predicted to place 40% of the federal workforce, or over 750,000 individuals, on unpaid leave.
This is how the shutdown will affect the United States and other countries.
Since 1980, the US government has been shut down fourteen times. Just during Trump's first term (2017–2021), three of these have occurred. This term, the current one comes first.
A government shutdown: what is it?
About a dozen appropriations bills that decide how much money is allocated to federal agencies must be approved by the US Congress and signed into law by the president. This must be completed by October 1st of each year.
This is how the shutdown will affect the United States and other countries.
Since 1980, the US government has been shut down fourteen times. Just during Trump's first term (2017–2021), three of these have occurred. This term, the current one comes first.
A government shutdown: what is it?
About a dozen appropriations bills that decide how much money is allocated to federal agencies must be approved by the US Congress and signed into law by the president. This must be completed by October 1st of each year.
Therefore, in theory, a shutdown occurs when the US Congress fails to authorize funds before the deadline expires.
What effects did the most recent closure have?
During the most recent government shutdown, which lasted 35 days from December 2018 to January 2019, over 8,000 federal employees were sent home.
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), 750,000 workers would be placed on furlough at a daily back pay cost of $400 million.
Why is it taking place now?
The current shutdown comes after Democrats demanded that Medicaid cuts that were included in Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," the tax cut package approved by the Senate with a Republican majority three months ago, be reinstated and that expiring healthcare subsidies be extended.
What effects did the most recent closure have?
During the most recent government shutdown, which lasted 35 days from December 2018 to January 2019, over 8,000 federal employees were sent home.
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), 750,000 workers would be placed on furlough at a daily back pay cost of $400 million.
Why is it taking place now?
The current shutdown comes after Democrats demanded that Medicaid cuts that were included in Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," the tax cut package approved by the Senate with a Republican majority three months ago, be reinstated and that expiring healthcare subsidies be extended.
The Bill aimed to enhance the extent of mass deportations, broadened the breadth of tax incentives for the wealthy, and raised defense spending by reducing federal programs like Medicaid. The Bill will provide financing to some departments, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of War, allowing them to continue operations during the shutdown.
Republican members of Congress pushed for a "clean" continuing resolution in the lead-up to the shutdown, which began at midnight on October 1, to guarantee that federal funding would stay the same until November 21. In response, Democrats offered a counterproposal to maintain government operations through October. The current shutdown is the product of the ensuing deadlock.
Republican members of Congress pushed for a "clean" continuing resolution in the lead-up to the shutdown, which began at midnight on October 1, to guarantee that federal funding would stay the same until November 21. In response, Democrats offered a counterproposal to maintain government operations through October. The current shutdown is the product of the ensuing deadlock.
Will government employees receive compensation?
Federal workers are thought to be the most affected. During a shutdown, most federal employees will not receive their paychecks. Even though they won't get paid until the government reopens, essential employees are still required to show up for work. Back pay will be given to critical and furloughed workers once a shutdown is over.
But despite the government shutdown, law enforcement will keep up its efforts. Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security, wrote on X that up to 200,000 of them will work for free.
Air traffic controllers, in-hospital medical staff, and members of the border protection team, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, will also continue to work.
Federal workers are thought to be the most affected. During a shutdown, most federal employees will not receive their paychecks. Even though they won't get paid until the government reopens, essential employees are still required to show up for work. Back pay will be given to critical and furloughed workers once a shutdown is over.
But despite the government shutdown, law enforcement will keep up its efforts. Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security, wrote on X that up to 200,000 of them will work for free.
Air traffic controllers, in-hospital medical staff, and members of the border protection team, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, will also continue to work.
The five government agencies with the highest number of employees on furlough are as follows, per CBS News:
-US Department of War: 406,573 civilian employees were kept, while 334,904 were placed on furlough.
-US Department of Health: 47,257 retained, 32,460 furloughed
-US Department of Commerce: 8,273 retained, 34,711 furloughed
-US Department of State: 10,344 retained, 16,651 furloughed
-Nasa: 3,124 retained, 15,094 furloughed
Additionally, there is a clause that allows some employees to take on second employment, as was the case during earlier shutdowns. Workers will be required to remain at home if they are not considered essential. These workers have previously received retroactive compensation.
-US Department of War: 406,573 civilian employees were kept, while 334,904 were placed on furlough.
-US Department of Health: 47,257 retained, 32,460 furloughed
-US Department of Commerce: 8,273 retained, 34,711 furloughed
-US Department of State: 10,344 retained, 16,651 furloughed
-Nasa: 3,124 retained, 15,094 furloughed
Additionally, there is a clause that allows some employees to take on second employment, as was the case during earlier shutdowns. Workers will be required to remain at home if they are not considered essential. These workers have previously received retroactive compensation.
Since taking office, US President Donald Trump has reduced federal employment and decreased government spending. He has warned on multiple occasions that a shutdown might speed up layoffs and give him the opportunity to cut programs and services that he claims are vital to Democrats.
Will layoffs occur?
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, warned reporters on Wednesday that layoffs were "imminent." According to US media, Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, also informed House Republicans during the day that federal employees will start being let go in "one to two" days.
Will layoffs occur?
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, warned reporters on Wednesday that layoffs were "imminent." According to US media, Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, also informed House Republicans during the day that federal employees will start being let go in "one to two" days.
Vought and Trump will meet to determine which "Democrat Agencies" the OMB director "recommends to be cut, and whether or not those cuts will be temporary or permanent," Trump stated in a Thursday post on Truth Social.
Will Congress Members Get Paid?
But Congress will continue to pay its members. The US Constitution protects them, a convention that some lawmakers have objected to.
What impact does shutdown have on air travel?
A federal shutdown will likely hurt fliers in various ways and might as well result in long security waits and delays due by underpaid air traffic controllers deciding to stay home rather than work for free, according to a BBC report.
Will Congress Members Get Paid?
But Congress will continue to pay its members. The US Constitution protects them, a convention that some lawmakers have objected to.
What impact does shutdown have on air travel?
A federal shutdown will likely hurt fliers in various ways and might as well result in long security waits and delays due by underpaid air traffic controllers deciding to stay home rather than work for free, according to a BBC report.
Because they are deemed "essential," employees of the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) and air traffic control will continue to report for duty. However, they won't get paid until the shutdown is over. More than 13,000 air traffic controllers will be able to continue their work during the shutdown, but they won't be paid until the government receives funding again.
These employees started calling in sick more frequently during the 2018–2019 shutdown, which caused delays that spread throughout the nation.
These employees started calling in sick more frequently during the 2018–2019 shutdown, which caused delays that spread throughout the nation.
Does the shutdown have an impact on the military?
Currently, the shutdown will not affect the funding of military operations or the majority of veteran benefits. Until a funding agreement is reached, military and civilian employees' salaries may be postponed. The majority of these laborers may be compelled to keep working for no compensation.
According to the CBS report, active duty military personnel, including active guard reserves, are still on duty, but no new orders can be given unless there are exceptional circumstances, such disaster response or national security. If they are not carrying out an essential task, those National Guard members who are receiving federal funding may have their orders revoked.
Currently, the shutdown will not affect the funding of military operations or the majority of veteran benefits. Until a funding agreement is reached, military and civilian employees' salaries may be postponed. The majority of these laborers may be compelled to keep working for no compensation.
According to the CBS report, active duty military personnel, including active guard reserves, are still on duty, but no new orders can be given unless there are exceptional circumstances, such disaster response or national security. If they are not carrying out an essential task, those National Guard members who are receiving federal funding may have their orders revoked.
Prior to the closure, the Department of Veterans Affairs stated that it anticipated 97% of its staff to be at work. During the shutdown, the Army and Navy have stated that they will post "limited updates" on their websites.
Their websites are "not being updated," according to the Air Force and Space Force.
How about cheques from Social Security?
During the shutdown, Social Security benefits will be available. Payments will continue to be made to the recipients. But the Social Security Administration may have to deal with a personnel that is on furlough. Processing new Social Security applications may be hampered or delayed if there are fewer employees than normal.
Their websites are "not being updated," according to the Air Force and Space Force.
How about cheques from Social Security?
During the shutdown, Social Security benefits will be available. Payments will continue to be made to the recipients. But the Social Security Administration may have to deal with a personnel that is on furlough. Processing new Social Security applications may be hampered or delayed if there are fewer employees than normal.
What impact does this have on the Department of Health?
In its contingency plan, the Department of Health and Human Services stated that it anticipates furloughing about 32,000 of its almost 80,000 employees during the closure.
The agency oversees vital organizations like the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In its contingency plan, the Department of Health and Human Services stated that it anticipates furloughing about 32,000 of its almost 80,000 employees during the closure.
The agency oversees vital organizations like the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Using the reactions to pandemics, flu, and hurricanes as examples, the government stated that "expected activities" will continue. Furthermore, the National Institutes of Health continues to provide clinical services and research required to safeguard government property and human life.
Grants and research contracts with outside entities, like universities, are currently on hold. Unless medically required, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will not admit new patients to its research hospital. Additionally, HHS stated that during a shutdown, it will not handle Freedom of Information Act requests.
Grants and research contracts with outside entities, like universities, are currently on hold. Unless medically required, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will not admit new patients to its research hospital. Additionally, HHS stated that during a shutdown, it will not handle Freedom of Information Act requests.
0 Comments