Government Shutdown Hits US: From assistance programs to national parks—What stays open and what’s affected?

US Government Shutdown: The United States has plunged into a government shutdown after Congress missed the October 1 deadline for passing funding legislation, making it the first closure in nearly seven years and the third under President Donald Trump. As a result, hundreds of thousands of federal employees face furloughs or potential layoffs, while critical public services and operations across the country are being disrupted, according to foreign media reports.

The White House’s Office of Management and Budget has instructed federal agencies to implement their shutdown plans, maintaining only essential services. President Trump has indicated the closure could lead to mass federal layoffs beyond the temporary furloughs, heightening economic uncertainty for millions of Americans.

What the shutdown looks Like

Approximately 750,000 federal workers are expected to be furloughed, with some potentially facing permanent layoffs. Many offices may close indefinitely, as Trump warned he will “do things that are irreversible, that are bad.” Deportation operations are expected to continue, while education, environmental protection, and other services could slow significantly.

“We don’t want it to shut down,” Trump said at the White House before the midnight deadline. Despite private meetings with congressional leaders, no deal was reached, highlighting the ongoing political divide over budget priorities and a climate favouring hardline positions over compromise.

But how does a shutdown occur?

Congress must pass annual spending bills for most federal agencies before the fiscal year begins on October 1. When bills aren’t finalised, lawmakers often approve temporary “stopgap” measures to prevent a shutdown. Without such measures, non-essential operations halt, employees are furloughed, and economic impacts can be felt almost immediately.

On September 30, the Senate voted on competing stopgap proposals. The Republican-led bill, which would have extended funding until November 21, failed to secure the 60 votes required to overcome a filibuster. Democrats opposed it because it did not address Affordable Care Act subsidies or Medicaid cuts. A Democratic proposal also failed on party lines.

What stays open and what shuts down?

Some programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, will continue, though staffing shortages may cause delays. The Pentagon will function normally, and most employees at the Department of Homeland Security will remain on duty.

Trump has suggested the administration could focus on programs important to Democrats, “cutting vast numbers of people out, cutting things that they like, cutting programs that they like.”

Smithsonian museums are expected to remain open at least until Monday, October 6, though former national park superintendents have urged full closures to protect visitors and resources. National parks will remain partially open, according to an Interior Department contingency plan, while other federal lands could face restrictions.

Impact on travel and transportation

Air traffic control and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers are considered “essential” and will continue working, though they will not be paid until the shutdown ends. During past shutdowns, unpaid essential workers increasingly called in sick, causing airport delays. Hiring and training of air traffic controllers will continue, according to Department of Transportation plans.

Most public transit systems, including city buses, subways, light rails, and ferries, are not federally funded and should operate normally.

Services and public programs affected

The National Flood Insurance Program will be closed, affecting property sales.

Food assistance programs like WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) may quickly run out of funds.

Border protection, law enforcement, and in-hospital medical care will continue.

Political standoff and no easy exit

House Republicans had approved a temporary funding bill to keep the government running until mid-November, but it repeatedly failed in the Senate. A Democratic bill also failed. With a 53-47 GOP majority in the Senate, Democrats are leveraging their votes to demand health care negotiations.

“There are also few good analogies to this week’s potential shutdown,” said analysts, noting the unusual scale of the impasse. “Americans are hurting with higher costs,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said after the failed vote Tuesday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson blamed Democrats for the shutdown. “They want to fight Trump,” foreign media reported him as saying on Tuesday. “A lot of good people are going to be hurt because of this.”