Federal Government Shutdown: Services Affected and Operations Maintained
The federal government shutdown took effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, following a failure by Congress and President Donald Trump to agree on a funding deal. The duration of this shutdown remains uncertain, as both Republicans and Democrats must negotiate to reach a consensus before Trump can sign off on any agreement. In the interim, numerous government services and federal employees will be significantly impacted.
Military and Security Operations
Over one million active-duty military personnel are continuing to serve but will do so without pay until the government reopens. If a funding agreement is not reached by mid-October, these service members will miss their paychecks. The shutdown’s impact varies across military branches, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announcing that most of its employees will remain on duty during this period. Specifically, immigration enforcement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is expected to continue largely unaffected.
Conversely, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) plans to furlough approximately two-thirds of its staff, which may impact its operations. The Department of Veterans Affairs will continue to process benefit payments and maintain health centers, but regional offices and career counseling services are set to close temporarily.
Education and Economic Reporting
The Department of Education is facing significant workforce reductions, with most of its 1,500 employees furloughed, including 650 from the Office of Federal Student Aid. Despite these furloughs, student loan collections will persist, meaning borrowers are still required to make payments. Furthermore, federal student aid loans will continue to be disbursed. Reports indicate that the Trump administration may seek to permanently terminate positions of furloughed workers, particularly within the Department of Education.
The impending shutdown has also disrupted key economic reporting from the Labor Department. The much-anticipated Employment Situation Summary, which details the country’s job market, will not be released as scheduled, depriving the Federal Reserve and businesses of vital economic data.
Public Services and Health Agencies
Travelers should not expect significant disruptions at airports as essential personnel, including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents and air traffic controllers, will continue to operate. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will furlough about 25% of its non-essential staff, which may lead to longer wait times in some areas.
Healthcare services are also affected, with workers responsible for managing Medicaid and Medicare continuing their duties. Nevertheless, the Department of Health and Human Services will furlough around 40% of its employees, while the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will furlough three-quarters of its staff. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will also furlough over 60% of its workforce, potentially impacting public health initiatives.
As the shutdown unfolds, many services will be limited or paused, leaving millions of Americans to navigate the implications of the ongoing crisis. The situation remains fluid, and all eyes are on Congress as negotiations continue in hopes of reaching a resolution.
