Is There a Government Shutdown Right Now? Latest Updates, Impacts, and What Comes Next

Why Is There a Government Shutdown Right Now?

The shutdown stems from a bitter standoff in Congress. Despite several attempts at compromise, neither party managed to secure enough votes for a temporary or long-term spending deal.

The political deadlock boils down to two competing priorities:

• Democrats insisted that any funding package include extensions of Affordable Care Act tax credits and other health care subsidies.

• Republicans argued against tying these subsidies to the budget, focusing instead on a stopgap bill to keep the government open.

In the Senate, both the Republican-backed and Democratic-backed proposals fell short of the required 60 votes. This left the government without legal authority to continue normal operations once the fiscal year ended on September 30.

Which Services Will Continue During the Shutdown?

Not all government functions grind to a halt during a shutdown. Certain services, classified as essential, will continue to operate.

Programs and services that remain active:

• Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid payments

• National security and military operations

• Essential law enforcement activities

Programs and services suspended or reduced:

• Many federal agencies, including large portions of the Department of Health and Human Services

• Around 64% of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention staff, impacting public health monitoring

• Up to 75% of the National Institutes of Health workforce

• National parks, where staffed visitor centers will close, though some open-access areas may remain available

• Nutrition support programs such as WIC, which may run out of funding if the shutdown drags on

Some exceptions exist. For example, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced it would remain open because its funding mechanism is separate from congressional appropriations.

Federal Employees and the Shutdown: Furloughs and Delayed Pay

A major question alongside is there a government shutdown right now is what this means for federal workers. Hundreds of thousands are directly affected.

There are two categories of employees in a shutdown:

• Furloughed workers: Sent home without pay until the government reopens

• Essential workers: Continue working but without paychecks until funding is restored

Under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, both groups are guaranteed retroactive pay once the shutdown ends. While that provides some reassurance, the lack of immediate income creates hardship for many households.

Estimated Impact on Federal Workforce

The Economic and Social Cost of the Shutdown

The longer the shutdown continues, the greater the consequences for the economy and daily life. The Congressional Budget Office estimates up to $400 million in lost compensation per day for federal workers. Industries reliant on government functions—such as travel and aviation—are also feeling the strain, with the travel sector projected to lose as much as $1 billion each week.

Local economies around military bases, federal buildings, and national parks may also see reduced spending. Families dependent on nutrition programs could face disruptions if the shutdown extends beyond a week.

Political Outlook: No Quick Fix on the Horizon

The most frustrating reality is that the shutdown may not end quickly. Both parties remain firmly entrenched in their positions. Republicans are pressing for the Senate to approve the House’s funding resolution, while Democrats continue to demand that health care and subsidy measures be part of the deal.

Observers warn that without serious concessions, this standoff could extend for days or even weeks. For now, Americans are left with the reality that the government is partially closed, workers are uncertain about their paychecks, and the question “is there a government shutdown right now” has a very clear answer: yes.