Government Shutdown FAQ

The federal government shut down at 12:01 AM ET on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. A government shutdown can have wide-ranging impacts on our communities—from delays in federal services to uncertainty for federal workers, small businesses, and military families.

As your representative in Congress, my top priority is making sure you and your family have the resources and information you need to navigate this moment.

While many federal operations may pause, my Sacramento and Washington, D.C. offices will remain open and ready to assist you. If you need help with time-sensitive issues such as Social Security, Medicare, the IRS, veterans' benefits, immigration, or passports, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

I also encourage you to contact my office to share how the shutdown is affecting you or your family. Below, you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about a potential government shutdown and what it means for you.

Why does the government shut down?

A government shutdown occurs when Congress is unable to pass the funding bills—known as appropriations—that keep federal agencies running into the next fiscal year, which begins on October 1. Because no agreement was reached by 11:59 PM on September 30, 2025, a partial shutdown is now underway as of 12:01 AM ET on October 1. While some essential services continue during the shutdown, others are currently disrupted or delayed.

What does a government shutdown mean for Sacramento County?

It’s difficult to fully quantify the immediate effects of a government shutdown on Sacramento County. Our Congressional District is home to nearly 5,000 federal employees. At this time, it remains unclear how many of these employees are temporarily furloughed, required to work without pay, or subject to layoffs as part of Reduction in Force (RIF) initiatives by the Trump Administration.

What government services and programs are impacted during a government shutdown and what effect does this have on the public?

A government shutdown, whether partial or full, impacts a variety of services and programs. During the 2018-2019 partial shutdown, the Food and Drug Administration suspended routine inspections, increasing public health risks. The National Park Service stopped trash collection and road repairs, creating unsanitary conditions and unsafe roads, while some national parks and museums closed entirely. Additionally, over 86,000 immigration court hearings were canceled, exacerbating existing backlogs. The shutdown also threatened the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program in some states, putting low-income families and children at risk. These disruptions illustrate how shutdowns can detrimentally affect public services and society's most vulnerable members.

What government services and programs remain uninterrupted during a shutdown?

During a government shutdown, essential services related to national security and public safety, like inpatient and emergency medical care, air traffic control, law enforcement, border security, disaster aid, and power grid maintenance, continue, though they may face disruptions. For instance, during the 2018-2019 shutdown, air traffic controllers worked without pay, causing widespread delays and even a temporary halt of incoming flights at LaGuardia airport. Services independent of annual appropriations bills, such as the U.S. Postal Service and programs like Social Security and Medicare, also continue, but may experience interruptions. For example, during the Fiscal Year 1996 shutdown, most Social Security Administration staff were initially furloughed, leading to delays in services like public inquiries and benefit claims processing, even though Social Security benefits remained funded.

What happens to federal employees during a shutdown?

Federal employees from shut-down agencies are either furloughed—prohibited from work and unpaid—or required to work without pay if their roles are deemed essential to public safety. While Congress has traditionally approved retroactive payment for these employees once the government reopens, this does not prevent the immediate financial difficulties they face.

Following the 2019 Shutdown, Congress passed the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, which provides immediate retroactive back pay to federal employees after a shutdown ends. During the 2018-2019 partial government shutdown, around 2 million people were employed by the federal government; 380,000 of them were furloughed and 420,000 worked without pay. Many delayed mortgage or credit card payments, risking late fees or loan defaults. In 2013, there were over 2 million federal employees, with about 850,000 furloughed during the shutdown. Government contractors, unlike direct federal employees, typically do not receive back pay after shutdowns. In the 2018-2019 shutdown, it's estimated that 4.1 million people worked under government contracts, though the exact number of those furloughed is unclear.

At this time, it remains unclear how many of federal employees have been temporarily furloughed, required to work without pay, or subject to layoffs as part of Reduction in Force (RIF) initiatives by the Trump Administration.

What is the process to end a government shutdown, and can the President unilaterally end it?

To end a government shutdown, Congress needs to pass, and the President must sign appropriations bills to fund the departments and agencies that have been shut down. The President does not have the power to end a shutdown unilaterally. The funding bills follow the same legislative process as any other bill, requiring approval from both the House and Senate before the President can sign them into law.

What is the impact of a government shutdown on the public and the U.S. economy?

Shutdowns are detrimental to both the public, who face service and program disruptions, and federal employees, who are either furloughed or required to work without pay. Moreover, they pose a significant strain on government resources. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and federal agencies need to develop and implement shutdown plans, a process that requires substantial staff time and resources, potentially detracting from public services. Shutdowns also cause revenue losses, such as those from visitor fees or gift store sales when national parks close. Additionally, shutdowns negatively impact the economy. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the 2018-2019 shutdown cost the U.S. economy $11 billion, mainly due to federal workers reducing their spending in response to lost pay. Notably, this decrease in spending may not rebound even after workers receive their back pay.

Which federal facilities will be impacted by this government shutdown?

Among others, the following federal facilities may be affected in the event of a government shutdown:

Military bases, arsenals, depots, and federal armories
Veterans’ Affairs medical facilities
Federal prisons and courthouses
National laboratories
National Park System facilities, National Forests, and other federally owned or managed lands
Ports including seaports, airports, and intermodal terminals that may host federal customs processing facilities or law enforcement
IRS facilities
Law enforcement agencies like the FBI, ATF, DEA, or CBP
General federal office buildings

What happens if I have an issue with a federal agency during the shutdown?

My office remains open and will continue processing federal agency casework. Please note that some agencies may be slower to respond due to furloughs and staffing shortages.

If you need assistance with a federal agency, please call my office at (916) 635-0505 or send us an email. My staff and I are here to help open a case on your behalf. See here for more details.

I have a trip planned to DC, will tours still operate?

Due to the ongoing government shutdown, all tours coordinated by my office are suspended. This includes the Smithsonian Museums, the U.S. Capitol, the White House, FBI Headquarters, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the U.S. Botanic Garden.

If you booked a tour through my office, a member of my team will reach out to provide an update regarding the status of your tour.

Will my travel plans be impacted?

Many TSA and FAA employees are classified as essential workers and will continue typical operations. However, due to staffing shortages caused by furloughs, air travelers should anticipate longer wait times, delays, and possible cancellations. We encourage everyone to exercise patience and kindness with these employees, many of whom are continuing to serve the public without pay.

Visa and passport services are not expected to be directly affected by a government shutdown, as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs are primarily funded through processing fees. However, if a funding shortfall were to occur, these agencies may experience disruptions in operations.

Will I still receive my SNAP or WIC benefits?

SNAP benefits are considered mandatory spending by the federal government, which means they continue even if the government shuts down. You should expect to keep receiving your benefits during a shutdown. However, if a shutdown exceeds 30 days, there may be potential disruption to the program. At this time of writing, it is unclear how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would address extended funding needs.

Unfortunately, during a government shutdown, funding for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program will quickly run out, leaving many families and children who rely on this vital support without access to federal assistance.

Will I continue to receive my Social Security and SSI checks?

Recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and SSI checks. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will continue providing limited services like issuing Social Security cards and holding appointments for benefit applications. However, SSA will stop some activities like benefit verifications and processing overpayments and the public will likely experience increased wait times for customer service.

How will my Medicare & Medicaid benefits be affected?

Medicare and Medicaid payments will continue as normal. However, routine interactions with the agencies may take longer if staffing levels are reduced.

I’m a veteran, will I still be receiving my benefits?

The Department of Veterans Affairs will continue to provide health care services, and benefits will still be processed and delivered. This includes compensation, pension, education, housing, suicide prevention programs, homelessness services, caregiver support, and primary call center operations.

Student Loan Payments

Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans should continue to be obligated and disbursed during a federal shutdown, but only as long as carryover and mandatory appropriations last. The department staff needed to carry out these functions are significantly reduced during a shutdown. Free Applications for Student Aid (FAFSA), Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans should continue for a “very limited time” under a shutdown. If a shutdown continues for an extended period of time, school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages due to lapsed federal funding.

Will my mail still arrive?

Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown.