A “Closed Do Not Enter” signal on the entrance to Muir Woods Nationwide Monument in Mill Valley, Calif., on Oct. 3.
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photographs
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David Paul Morris/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photographs
The federal government shutdown has lasted 15 days — and counting.
Republicans and Democrats seem no nearer to an settlement to reopen it. The Senate once more tried — and failed — Wednesday to advance a invoice to reopen the federal government. It was the chamber’s ninth try because the shutdown started on Oct. 1 to vote on a short-term funding invoice handed by the Home.
The Trump administration has been following by on threats to slash the scale of presidency in the course of the shutdown, shedding 1000’s of employees late final week. A listening to in federal courtroom in the present day thought of the legality of these layoffs; the decide overseeing the case issued a brief restraining order directing the Trump administration to pause RIF notices to federal staff who’re members of two unions, the American Federation of Authorities Staff (AFGE) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Staff (AFSCME).
Learn the newest on a case introduced by some fired federal employees to pause the newest wave of shutdown layoffs.
President Trump has mentioned he plans to fireplace extra federal employees en masse whereas the shutdown continues and can particularly goal what he known as “Democrat packages.”
Whereas lively navy members have been set to overlook their first full paycheck on Wednesday, over the weekend President Trump mentioned he “recognized funds” to make sure the lively navy will get paid. The Protection Division will use “roughly $8 billion” of unused analysis and improvement funding from final 12 months to pay service members if the federal government would not reopen by Oct. 15, in line with a Pentagon official not approved to talk publicly. That will probably solely cowl one pay cycle and navy households are already in search of extra help from meals banks and different teams to assist with paying payments.
Because the shutdown drags on, here is the newest on what we all know.
Soar to state-specific impacts.
Why did the federal authorities shut down?
A partisan argument over if and when lawmakers have to act to increase subsidies for the Reasonably priced Care Act (ACA) marketplaces led to the present shutdown. Some 24 million folks — who haven’t got insurance coverage by their jobs or a public program like Medicaid — use the system to purchase well being plans.
Outstanding Republican lawmakers have claimed the Democrats want to present tax {dollars} to assist pay for the heath care of undocumented immigrants. That isn’t true.
Democrats within the Senate refused to vote for the Republican short-term funding invoice that handed the Home however didn’t embody an extension of the well being care tax credit. Democrats are additionally hoping to repeal cuts to well being care packages that have been put in place as a part of the GOP spending and tax invoice that handed over the summer season.
Learn extra about extra on the controversy over these subsidies right here.
Plus, why Democrats are casting the federal government shutdown as a well being care showdown.
— Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR
What about WIC and SNAP advantages?
Among the many first to really feel the pinch throughout this shutdown may very well be the 7 million moms and younger youngsters who depend on the Supplemental Vitamin Program for Ladies, Infants and Kids (WIC) meals program. Funding was estimated to expire after about two weeks. However USDA has distributed cash from the earlier fiscal 12 months, serving to not less than some states. And the White Home has mentioned it should use tariff income to maintain WIC afloat, although has supplied few particulars. When requested for extra info, the White Home referred NPR to USDA, which didn’t reply to a question. Trump’s funds proposal earlier this 12 months had seemed to chop WIC funding.
Lucia Graves of Lebanon, N.H. advised NPR she is relying on the advantages to assist feed her household, particularly as the price of groceries is on the rise. However continued entry if there is a extended shutdown will probably rely on states filling the hole, if their budgets permit.
Past WIC, the nation’s a lot bigger meals assist program — the Supplemental Vitamin Help Program (or SNAP, beforehand often known as meals stamps) — is funded by October. That is as a result of the debit-like playing cards folks use to purchase meals are loaded a month prematurely, so advantages will proceed for October. However in a memo seen by NPR, USDA final week advised state businesses to carry off paying for November advantages for lack of ample funding, “till additional discover.”
— Jennifer Ludden, NPR
And what about faculty lunches?
Some state businesses say they might not have the funds to reimburse faculties offering free and low-cost meals.
Diane Pratt-Heavner, a spokesperson for the College Vitamin Affiliation, says some businesses have advised her group they do not have the cash to pay faculties again for meals in the course of the shutdown.
“There’s a robust dedication on either side of the aisle to guarantee that youngsters have entry to wholesome meals in school, so we’re hopeful that the administration and Congress will act earlier than this turns into a difficulty.”
Earlier than the shutdown, USDA launched a contingency plan outlining funds states may faucet into to cowl any gaps. A USDA spokesman didn’t straight reply NPR when requested whether or not the company intends to advance funding to state businesses ought to the shutdown persist. As a substitute, the spokesperson blamed the Democrats for “inflicting actual hurt to American farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.”
— Kadin Mills, NPR

A United States Postal Service (USPS) mail field stands in Manhattan on Aug. 5, 2020 in New York Metropolis. Mail companies is not going to be affected by the federal government shutdown.
Spencer Platt/Getty Photographs
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Spencer Platt/Getty Photographs
USPS is ‘open for enterprise as ordinary’
“U.S. Postal Service operations is not going to be interrupted within the occasion of a authorities shutdown,” in line with a assertion by USPS. The postal service is primarily self-funded and would not rely on the appropriations course of to proceed operating as ordinary.
IRS furloughs almost half its workers
A contingency plan from the Treasury Division says that barely greater than half of the IRS’ roughly 74,000 employees stay on the job and can proceed to work for the foreseeable future. Some IRS staff have been issued discount in power, or RIF, notices on Friday and posted screenshots of these notices informing them of their final day, Dec. 9.
The contingency plan says almost all of these staff who proceed to work will likely be paid utilizing sources aside from annual appropriations, that are on maintain in the course of the shutdown. Duties will embody finishing and testing techniques to deal with subsequent 12 months’s tax-filing season, and sustaining computer systems to forestall the lack of information.
— Scott Horsley, Andrea Hsu and Stephen Fowler, NPR
Academics and faculties will not be straight impacted, however federal training features may
Eighty-seven p.c of Division of Training staff have been momentary furloughed, as detailed in company shutdown contingency plans.
Layoffs notably gutted the workplace liable for overseeing particular training, in line with a number of sources throughout the division. The RIF impacts the handfuls of workers members liable for roughly $15 billion in particular training funding and for ensuring states present particular training companies to the nation’s 7.5 million youngsters with disabilities.
As well as, many Division of Training staff who have been furloughed have been stunned to see a message blaming Democrats for the federal government shutdown inserted into their out-of-office replies. A federal employees union is suing the Trump administration for inserting the language into staff’ out-of-office e mail messages.
— Shannon Bond and Cory Turner, NPR
The Free Software for Federal Pupil Support (FAFSA) for 2026 went dwell as scheduled. As WPR’s Corrinne Hess studies, the U.S. Division of Training says that pupil monetary assist packages will proceed, regardless of the shutdown.

Greg Freeman, a Nationwide Park Service ranger closes the doorway gate because of the authorities shutdown on the Everglades Nationwide Park Shark Valley on Oct. 1 in Florida. Shark Valley stays open to guests who park exterior the doorway gate and stroll in, though with restricted staffing.
Joe Raedle/Getty Photographs
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Joe Raedle/Getty Photographs
Nationwide Parks are a blended bag
Throughout the nation, the Nationwide Park Service (NPS) have introduced their operations to a halt.
As KQED’s Sarah Wright and Carly Severn reported, a contingency plan for the NPS says that park roads, lookouts and trails “will typically stay accessible to guests” throughout the shutdown, however different companies similar to common highway and path situation updates wouldn’t be supplied.
Considerations have additionally been raised in regards to the security and accountability of preserving parks open with out having a strong variety of staff accessible to conduct crucial companies.
The The Nationwide Zoo and different Smithsonian services additionally closed on Sunday. “All of the animals on the Zoo and on the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Entrance Royal, Virginia, will proceed to be fed and cared for,” the Smithsonian mentioned. “A shutdown is not going to have an effect on our dedication to the security of our workers and commonplace of excellence in animal care.”
The zoo’s animal cams, nonetheless, are thought of nonessential and will likely be turned off for the rest of the shutdown.
— Alana Clever, NPR
Medicare, Medicaid and Social Safety advantages will proceed
Social Safety, VA and different advantages will proceed. However on Friday, staff at Social Safety subject workplaces mentioned the federal government shutdown has left them unable to hold out an vital service for some recipients. As NPR’s Ashley Lopez studies, employees say they’re unable to supply profit verification letters to folks calling in to request them. These official letters act as a type of revenue verification and are due to this fact key to acquiring assist like housing help, gas help and assist from nonprofits.
As NPR’s Scott Horsley studies some furloughed staff on the Labor Division are coming again to work, with a view to full the September inflation report, which is a key ingredient used to calculate the price of dwelling adjustment that Social Safety recipients will obtain subsequent 12 months.
Learn extra on how a battle over well being coverage led to the federal government shutdown from NPR’s Selena Simmons-Duffin.
However some honest housing workplaces have been gutted as a part of the shutdown RIFs
Greater than 300 Housing and City Growth staff obtained layoff notices over the weekend, in line with a tally by AFGE Nationwide Council 222, a union that represents HUD employees. A HUD spokesperson says the layoffs are to “align packages” with the Trump administration’s priorities. The company didn’t present specifics, however a union tally finds almost a 3rd of these reduce are individuals who examine allegations of housing discrimination.
HUD union steward Paul Osadebe says the layoffs seem to intestine some whole workplaces — in Atlanta, Kansas Metropolis, Fort Value and Denver. They arrive on prime of earlier main cuts to HUD’s honest housing workers.
— Jennifer Ludden, NPR
There may very well be missed paychecks and misplaced jobs
Maybe the largest impacts will likely be felt by federal employees who’re set to overlook their first full paycheck throughout the federal government shutdown later this month. President Trump on Saturday mentioned he had “recognized funds” to ensure the lively navy doesn’t miss its Oct. 15 paycheck, however absent a breakthrough in Congress it stays unclear how the navy could be paid past that.
The Congressional Finances Workplace estimates that roughly 750,000 federal staff could be furloughed every day of the shutdown.
This is the newest breakdown on momentary furloughs throughout the federal government shutdown by company.
Wildfire and different emergency response personnel, for instance, will proceed to work, however in lots of instances with out pay.
Along with furloughing staff, 1000’s of staff throughout a number of federal businesses started receiving RIF notices final week.
Final week, Trump appeared to publicly again a draft White Home memo that features an argument for denying employees pay, regardless of a 2019 regulation supposed to make sure federal staff are compensated after a shutdown. When pressed on the legality of such a transfer, Trump mentioned, “What the regulation says is right, and I observe the regulation.”
Ian Morgan is a postdoctoral fellow on the Nationwide Institutes of Well being in Maryland and the chief of an area federal employee union. He advised WAMU’s Jenny Abamu he needs any funds deal to incorporate protections for federal employees and the companies they supply. Morgan additionally needs Congress to ensure again pay for federal contractors he works intently with — lots of whom is not going to obtain pay whereas the federal government is shut down.
Learn extra about how federal employees are discovering their voice in the course of the shutdown.
ICE will largely proceed uninterrupted
Immigration instances and enforcement are continuing as ordinary throughout the federal government shutdown, with a number of small exceptions. Division of Homeland Safety spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed that the workers within the Workplace of Detention Oversight, which inspects immigration detention facilities, is at the moment not working. “We hope Democrats will open up the federal government swiftly in order that this workplace can resume its work,” McLaughlin mentioned.
Customs inspection and immigration regulation enforcement are thought of “important” features that may proceed throughout any lapse in appropriations, although employees might not receives a commission till the shutdown is over.
The U.S. Coast Guard, which is housed inside DHS, will proceed to be paid, in line with a social media put up from Secretary Kristi Noem, from funds appropriated within the reconciliation invoice earlier this 12 months.
— Ximena Bustillo, NPR

An air site visitors management tower is seen following the federal government shutdown on the Austin-Bergstrom Worldwide Airport on Oct. 1 in Austin, Texas.
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Brandon Bell/Getty Photographs
For those who’re flying quickly …
Air site visitors controllers and most Transportation Safety Administration staff are thought of “important employees” and have to remain on the job.
Vacationers throughout the U.S. are starting to really feel the impacts of the federal government shutdown, as air site visitors management staffing shortages disrupt flights throughout the nation.
Air site visitors controllers helped to finish the final authorities shutdown, and will assist finish this one as nicely. A “slight improve” in sick go away at two services on the East Coast threw some main airports into chaos.
Learn extra on what a scarcity of air site visitors controllers may do to carry an finish to the shutdown from NPR’s Joel Rose.
The impression of the shutdown appears to be like totally different in numerous components of the nation
Some states throughout the nation are uniquely positioned to really feel the impression of the federal government shutdown. Reporters from the NPR Community are digging into the methods the federal government shutdown is taking part in out of their area.
This is what we all know up to now about how the shutdown is affecting particular communities throughout the nation:
Alaska
- The U.S. Transportation Division says it has secured funding to proceed the Important Air Service program, subsidizing routes to 65 Alaska communities and greater than an extra 100 communities nationwide, by Nov. 2. [Alaska Public Media]
- About 15,000 federal staff dwell in Alaska, one of many highest percentages of federal staff compared with different states. President Trump’s risk that federal staff may obtain termination notices will increase the uncertainty round how this important workforce to Alaska’s financial system may very well be affected. [Alaska Public Media]
For extra on the impression in Alaska, head to Alaska Public Media.
Arizona
- Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs mentioned she wouldn’t spend state funds to maintain Grand Canyon Nationwide Park open ought to the federal government shutdown. [KJZZ]
- Social companies in Grand Canyon Village are gearing as much as help non-essential staff at Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, together with meals pantry assets. [KNAU]
- Sen. Ruben Gallego mentioned the shutdown would additionally not have an effect on federal reduction cash to communities within the Miami-Globe space after torrential monsoon rains brought about flash flooding within the area [KJZZ]
- Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport joined a handful of different airports throughout the nation which have refused to show a video from Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the federal government shutdown. [KJZZ]
California
Colorado
Connecticut
- Connecticut will proceed federally funded meals help packages for state residents throughout the federal government shutdown, Gov. Ned Lamont mentioned on Wednesday. However he mentioned the state’s reserve cash for SNAP, the meals help program for low-income households, will run out by the tip of the month. [WSHU]
- Connecticut has a $2.5 billion funds surplus this 12 months — its second largest in historical past. Advocates are asking Lamont to think about using it to assist offset the federal shortfall. [WSHU]
Georgia
- For federal employees dwelling paycheck to paycheck, one choice to get by being furloughed may very well be submitting for unemployment insurance coverage, Georgia Labor Commissioner Barbara Rivera Holmes mentioned. The workers should pay the advantages again as soon as the shutdown ends they usually obtain again pay, however the advantages might help them make ends meet whereas they aren’t being paid. [GPB]
- Georgia farmers may additionally face delays in block grant funding and commodity information they depend on in the course of the time-sentitive season of planting and harvesting. [NPR]
Kansas
- Kansas farmers face a number of uncertainties, as funds from some federal packages are in limbo. As well as, almost half of the U.S. Division of Agriculture’s staff will likely be furloughed, and plenty of workplaces will likely be closed. [KCUR]
- Over the past two shutdowns, the USDA didn’t publish its month-to-month crop studies. This comes at an inconvenient time as Midwest farmers are in harvest season. [KCUR]
For extra on the impression in Kansas Metropolis, head to KCUR.
Louisiana
- The Nationwide Flood Insurance coverage Program, or NFIP, is managed by FEMA and supplies flood insurance coverage to those that haven’t got a personal choice. It has grown in measurement as most home-owner’s insurance coverage insurance policies throughout the U.S. have dropped flood harm solely. It covers almost half one million Louisianans. Policyholders with expiring contracts may lose protection and funds to pay claims have dropped $30 billion because of the shutdown. [WWNO/WRKF]
For extra on the impression in Louisiana, head to WWNO/WRKF.
Illinois
Maine
- Though a lot of the workers of Acadia Nationwide Park in Maine has been furloughed, it was a well-liked weekend on the park. [Maine Public]
Missouri
New Hampshire
- There are greater than 5,000 civilian federal staff in New Hampshire, on the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the Manchester VA Medical Heart, the White Mountain Nationwide Forest, the Berlin federal jail, the passport processing middle at Pease and at different federal businesses. How the shutdown may have an effect on them is not solely clear. [NHPR]
- The White Mountain Nationwide Forest will stay open, however some say earlier workers cuts are hampering crucial actions. Firefighting and catastrophe response actions may even proceed, in line with federal officers. [NHPR]
- On Oct. 7, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., the veteran appropriator who has helped dealer previous bipartisan offers, advised NPR, she has been working behind the scenes with senators from each events to “discover widespread floor.” [NPR]
For extra on the impression in New Hampshire, head to NHPR.
North Carolina
- After the federal authorities shutdown reduce staffing and companies at Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, native governments and nonprofits within the area stepped as much as foot the invoice and maintain the park open in the course of the peak fall season. The funds ought to maintain the park open by Oct. 19. [WUOT]
North Dakota
For extra on the impression in North Dakota, head to Prairie Public.
Oklahoma
- With the federal authorities shut down, Nationwide Park rangers usually are not current on the Oklahoma Metropolis Nationwide Memorial and Museum. Victims, members of the family and first responders are stepping in to teach guests on the situation’s story. [KOSU]
Oregon
- The federal authorities program used to subsidize industrial flights in Pendleton received a last-minute reprieve from grinding to a halt because of the partial authorities shutdown. However as of Wednesday, fast solutions on how that may have an effect on Japanese Oregon’s solely industrial airport are briefly provide. The municipally operated Japanese Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton holds the one Important Air Service (EAS) contract within the state, a federal program that helps rural airports function. [OPB]
Pennsylvania
- Tens of 1000’s of Pennsylvania-based federal employees furloughed throughout the federal government shutdown could also be eligible for unemployment compensation by the state Division of Labor & Trade. [WITF]
Tennessee
- After the federal authorities shutdown reduce staffing and companies at Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, native governments and nonprofits within the area stepped as much as foot the invoice and maintain the park open in the course of the peak fall season. The funds ought to maintain the park open by Oct. 19 [WUOT]
- On Oct. 7, the FAA notified native officers in Nashville that flights out and in of Nashville Worldwide Airport (BNA) could be lowered Tuesday afternoon resulting from a scarcity of air site visitors controllers throughout the federal government shutdown. Nashville’s airport was again to regular by Wednesday morning. [WLPN]
Texas
- U.S. Customs and Border Safety staff who examine cargo at the 32 different official ports of entry are among the many important federal employees who should stay on the job unpaid. The longer the shutdown lasts, the larger the danger of cargo backups at these Texas ports resulting from unpaid staff calling in sick. [Houston Public Media]
Utah
- In Ogden, Utah, about 10 p.c works for the IRS, and when federal employees cease getting paychecks, impacts are felt rapidly and broadly. (KUER)
Washington
- On Oct. 6, state officers say they’ve sufficient to cowl WIC for the subsequent two weeks. Seattle and King County have partnered to dedicate almost $2 million to supply one-time vouchers to an estimated 30,000 shoppers in King County who depend on WIC. [KUOW]
- The Employment Safety Division says the 80,000 federal employees in Washington State might qualify for unemployment advantages. [OPB]
Wyoming
- On Oct. 3, Gov. Mark Gordon mentioned Wyoming will cowl gaps in funding to federally funded state staff who’re within the state funds “within the short-term.” [Wyoming Public Media]
For extra on the impression in Wyoming, head to Wyoming Public Media.
NPR’s Padma Rama, Emily Alfin Johnson and Heidi Glenn edited this piece.