The U.S. government officially shut down on Oct. 1, 2025, after lawmakers failed to pass a continuing resolution to fund federal operations before the fiscal year deadline. The question many are asking this week is simple: Is the government shut down? The answer is yes — agencies without approved funding have halted or reduced operations, marking the 21st time since the 1977 fiscal year, as ABC News reports.
Is The Government Shut Down Right Now?
According to the outlet, essential services — such as air traffic control, certain military, the U.S. Postal Service, and border security — continue to function, but many other public-facing offices and programs are closed or delayed.
This shutdown began after Congress was unable to reach a deal on funding, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. Republicans proposed a short-term measure to keep the government running for a few more weeks, while Democrats sought additional provisions, including extensions for health care benefits like the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits. Despite last-minute White House negotiations, no compromise was reached, leaving millions of workers, contractors, and families facing uncertainty.
Lawmakers are expected to continue discussions, but until a deal is struck, the effects are being felt nationwide.
Who Gets Paid — And Who Is Furloughed?
According to ABC News, the government shutdown affects different roles in distinct ways, and roughly 4 million federal employees could go without pay. Those affected:
- Furloughed workers
- Nonessential employees are placed on unpaid leave. They do not report to work but are typically guaranteed back pay once the shutdown ends. These include some office staff at agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Essential employees
- Critical roles must continue without pay. This includes “hundreds of thousands” of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, air traffic controllers, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, and military personnel. Around 2 million troops, including National Guard members deployed to cities, may be required to work without pay.
- Federal contractors
- Federal contractors, such as hourly workers like janitors and security guards, are not guaranteed back pay and may lose wages entirely for the duration of the shutdown.
The shutdown has particularly severe effects on military families and low-income households. About 25% of military households already experience food insecurity, and roughly the same number have less than $500 in savings, per the outlet. Delayed pay may make it difficult to cover basic expenses like child care, transportation, and groceries.
What Services Are Affected By The Government Shutdown?
As NBC News reports, the shutdown has far-reaching effects across multiple sectors:
- Travel and Transportation
- As previously mentioned, necessary TSA officers and air traffic controllers will continue working without pay, which could increase wait times and delays at airports. Meanwhile, FAA training programs for new hires are paused.
- Health and Safety
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues urgent work like recalls and disease monitoring but pauses long-term food safety initiatives, new drug and medical device reviews, pet food safety, and routine inspections.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) keeps tracking and responding to outbreaks, but public health guidance and updates are limited.
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will continue research affecting human life and government property, but clinical trials and new patient admissions are delayed.
- Food Assistance
- National Parks and Museums
- National parks remain partially open. However, staffed buildings like visitor centers and sites will be closed, and emergency services will be limited.
- Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo in Washington, DC, are using leftover funds to stay open temporarily, at least through Oct. 6.
What Does The Government Shutdown Mean For Citizens?
For many Americans, the shutdown raises practical concerns: What does it mean if the government shuts down, and how does it affect daily life? ABC News confirms:
- Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
- Payments continue, though customer service and administrative functions may be delayed or limited.
- Mail delivery
- The U.S. Postal Service remains open since it operates on its own revenue.
- Federal courts
- Operations continue for now but will likely see delays or postponements of trials and hearings as backup financial options are limited. Also staff furloughs could cause delays if the shutdown continues.
How Long Will The Government Shutdown Last?
The length of the 2025 shutdown depends on when Congress reaches an agreement. Past shutdowns have lasted from a single day to 35 days — the longest in U.S. history (2018–2019) and during President Donald Trump’s first term in office, as ABC News reports.
Until lawmakers pass a funding deal, the answer to “Is the government shut down?” remains yes — leaving millions of workers, families, and businesses in limbo.
