The Anatomy of a Government Shutdown

What really happens when a government shuts down? 

Photo by SIA

At 12:01 a.m. on October 1st 2025, the U.S. Government officially shut down. 

A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to approve funding for federal operations, forcing a temporary halt of non-vital operations. In order to fund government agencies and programs, Congress must pass appropriated bills that are then passed and signed into law by the President. If this process is not completed by October 1st, the start of the fiscal year, many agencies and programs must suspend operations. Employees are either furloughed without pay, or required to work without compensation until funding is restored. The shutdown ends only when Congress and the President approve the necessary appropriation bills to fund the agencies and programs. 

In this particular shutdown, a political disagreement over Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) prevented the Senate from achieving the minimum amount of 60 votes. Although Republicans currently hold majorities in both the Senate and the House, most legislations still require vast bipartisan support in the Senate, but the two parties failed to come to an agreement on key issues surrounding health care and budget policies. 

So what remains operational during a shutdown? Programs funded through mandatory spending continue to function, such as air traffic control, national security, and law enforcement. Employees of the U.S. mailing will continue to be paid, but the national guard and active-duty military personnel will not receive paychecks until the shutdown ends. Once funding resumes, unpaid working employees during the shutdown will receive their pay, though without interest.

The impacts of the shutdown vary depending on how long it lasts and the services individuals rely on. Non-essential operations including museums, national parks, passport and visa processing, origination of new loans, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Education, and Environmental Protection Agency will be required to cease activity. Employees of these agencies will face immediate impacts with delayed income or furlough. According to the New York Times article “How the Shutdown Is Affecting Federal Services and Workers,” it’s estimated that “at least 600,000 workers will be furloughed.”

On Friday, October 3rd, the Senate failed for the fourth time to pass the funding bill, extending the then three day shutdown. Unfortunately, the longer the shutdown continues, the more strain it places on workers, the economy, and the American public. 

Although disruptive, shutdowns are not a rare or uncommon occurrence, including during the administration of President Reagan and President Carter. The longest recorded shutdown in history lasted for 35 days under President Donald Trump’s first term. Even though shutdowns have become relatively common, their consequences, from economic uncertainty, government division, to public frustration, endure long after the shutdown ends. 

Mia Koopersmith ‘28