T
he U.S. government faces a potential shutdown next weekend if Congress cannot finalize a funding agreement before the March 14 deadline. This uncertainty has left many Americans concerned about how a government shutdown might affect their daily lives.
A government shutdown happens when Congress does not approve new funding for federal agencies. The current spending legislation, which was signed by former President Joe Biden in December, is set to expire on March 14.
During a shutdown, the government can only allocate funds for essential services, such as law enforcement and public safety. This means that hundreds of thousands of federal employees will not receive their paychecks on time, while others will be furloughed, potentially causing significant financial strain for many American families amidst ongoing inflation and the uncertainty surrounding workforce reductions initiated during the Trump administration.
The last government shutdown occurred during President Donald Trump’s first term in December 2018, lasting 34 days—the longest in modern history. Recently, similar situations have been narrowly avoided as lawmakers rushed to reach temporary agreements to keep the government operational. However, the narrow Republican majority and ongoing tensions over federal funding cuts introduced by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency have made this situation particularly precarious.
Here’s a breakdown of the current negotiations and the potential impact of a government shutdown.
What’s happening with the negotiations in Congress?
With Republicans holding the White House and both chambers of Congress, House Republicans are currently working on a stopgap measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), to maintain government funding at its current levels through the end of September. This plan has the endorsement of Trump.
On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson noted that some GOP members are hesitant to support the six-month extension. “I believe that once people grasp its necessity, they will come around, and we’ll get it passed,” he told reporters. A group of House Republicans met with Trump at the White House on Wednesday as party leaders aim to rally support among their members.
Republicans are under pressure to pass the CR without Democratic support, which is a challenging task in both the House and Senate. In the House, the slim Republican majority means not all members are expected to support the measure. To avoid previous shutdowns, both Speaker Mike Johnson and his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, often relied on Democratic votes. In the Senate, although Republicans hold 53 seats, they need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster and advance the bill.
What is the Democratic response to the negotiations?
Leading Democrats in Congress are firmly against the proposed six-month funding extension, as they believe Trump and Musk are undermining Congress’ authority by cutting government programs without proper consultation. Many Democrats are skeptical about Trump adhering to the next spending bill, making them less likely to support it.
Meanwhile, Republicans are indicating they will hold Democrats responsible if a shutdown occurs. Some Democrats worry the public might agree with this narrative, which could damage their political standing and possibly encourage Musk to implement further budget cuts across federal agencies.
Johnson stated on NBC’s Meet the Press that “Democrats must participate in these negotiations,” arguing they have shown little interest in finding a practical solution. He emphasized that House Republicans are seeking to maintain current funding levels while working to incorporate savings from the DOGE initiative and other revenue sources resulting from Trump’s policies.
Democrats stress that the responsibility to fund the government lies with the majority party. “House Republicans are steering the nation toward a government shutdown initiated by Elon Musk,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries remarked to reporters on Tuesday.
How would a government shutdown affect Americans?
Here’s a summary of how a government shutdown could immediately affect American citizens:
Federal employees and military personnel
In the event of a shutdown, tens of thousands of federal employees would be furloughed and sent home without pay. Essential workers, such as those in national security and public safety, would still report to work without compensation. Once funding resumes, the government is legally obligated to reimburse federal employees and military personnel. However, federal contractors would not receive payment for time missed.
Each federal agency determines which services and personnel are essential, generally including law enforcement officers, national security agents, active military members, and federal prison guards. For instance, military personnel and federal law enforcement will continue working, while civilian employees at the Defense Department may be furloughed.
Federal employees should be aware that working during a shutdown when not authorized to do so could result in fines or even prison time under the Antideficiency Act.
National parks, public spaces, and airports
Recreational facilities funded by the federal government would have to close, potentially preventing travelers and tourists from accessing national parks or Smithsonian museums during a shutdown. The National Park Service estimated that a shutdown in 2013 resulted in a $500 million loss in visitor spending nationwide.
Some airports may also see disruptions, as was the case during the 2019 shutdown when air traffic controllers working without pay threatened to walk off the job, which ultimately helped bring the shutdown to an end. Passport offices in certain areas might close, causing inconvenience for those planning international trips.
Federal safety-net programs
While programs like food stamps and other nutrition assistance would continue during a shutdown, federal agencies may need to scale back support after the March 14 funding deadline if the shutdown lasts for an extended period. Long-term closures could disrupt childcare programs like Head Start, which provides grants to childcare centers for families facing financial challenges for preschool.
Federal offices managing these programs could also offer reduced services for individuals seeking enrollment or assistance.
What remains operational during a shutdown?
Agencies that have already secured funding approval or operate on a permanent funding basis will continue to function normally. For example, the Postal Service and entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare will remain operational during a shutdown, as they are funded through permanent appropriations that do not require annual renewal.
Veterans Affairs benefits, including pensions and disability payments, will also proceed as usual during a shutdown.
Furthermore, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will maintain its regular operations during a government shutdown due to funding that was authorized by Congress last year. Taxpayers are still required to meet their tax obligations, and services such as tax return processing will continue unaffected.
