US Government Just Shut Down — Here’s What You Need to Know
- Publish date: since 19 hour Reading time: 1 min read
The US government shut down after Senate gridlock. Millions face unpaid work, national parks may close, and travel delays loom. Here’s what to know.
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At midnight Wednesday, the US government officially ran out of money. Both Republican and Democratic funding proposals tanked in the Senate on Tuesday, which means the lights went out—at least financially—for federal agencies.
Lawmakers are pointing fingers, with Democrats pushing for healthcare extensions and Republicans refusing to budge. Translation: no deal, no cash.
Who’s Affected Right Now
Roughly 4 million federal workers are on the line. Essential employees—like TSA officers, air traffic controllers, ICE agents, and military members—still have to clock in, but they won’t see paychecks until Congress sorts this out.
Non-essential staff get furloughed. Contractors like janitors and security guards? They’re off the schedule too, with no guaranteed back pay.
The Military Situation
About 2 million service members, including National Guard troops, are expected to keep working without pay. The Pentagon says active operations, border security, and missile defense projects remain top priority. But families already struggling with bills could be stretched thin fast.
Travel & Daily Life
Flights won’t stop, but TSA staff shortages could mean long airport lines if workers call out sick. National parks and Smithsonian museums usually shutter within a few days. Some services—like Social Security and Medicare—keep running, though paperwork and card replacements might slow down.
What Happens Next?
The Senate is expected to vote again, but if both sides keep digging in, this shutdown could drag out. The last major one in 2018 lasted 35 days and cost the US billions.