The US federal government has entered a shutdown following an inability of Republican and Democratic lawmakers to agree on a budget. This deadlock affects government operations throughout October and potentially longer, leading to anticipated disruptions across various sectors, including air travel and public services. Approximately 40% of the federal workforce, totaling around 750,000 employees, may be placed on unpaid leave.
In the realm of air travel, passengers could encounter longer security lines and potential delays, as unpaid air traffic controllers may choose not to report for work. While air traffic control and TSA workers are classified as “essential” and will continue working, they will not receive pay until the budget impasse is resolved. Previous shutdowns have seen a rise in call-outs among these workers, complicating air travel further. Additionally, US passport processing might experience delays.
Federal employees who are not classified as essential will be significantly impacted, as they will not receive wages during the shutdown. Notably, law enforcement personnel are expected to work but will be unpaid; this includes more than 200,000 officers. Several federal agencies, such as the CDC and NIH, are likely to furlough numerous employees, impacting current research projects.
National Parks and federal lands are also affected, as they may be closed to visitors due to a lack of staffing, with advocates calling for complete closures to prevent vandalism and damage. Notably, the Smithsonian Institution plans to maintain operations for its museums and National Zoo, although live animal webcams will not be available.
Healthcare services for Medicare and Medicaid will persist, albeit with possible staffing shortages that could disrupt services. Food assistance programs may face funding shortages as well.
The US Postal Service will operate as usual, unaffected by the shutdown, since it is an independent entity funded through its services rather than federal appropriations.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgj1p485p0no?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss