Here's what a government shutdown could affect around the country

Published: Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 9:03 am

Government Shutdown Looms, Impacting Services and Workers

As the deadline for government funding approaches on October 1st, the potential for a government shutdown looms, threatening to disrupt various services and impact hundreds of thousands of Americans. Essential services, such as air traffic control and Transportation Security Administration operations, will continue, but workers may face delays in pay. Passport processing could also be affected, potentially leading to longer wait times for renewals.

The U.S. Postal Service, being self-funded, will continue operations as usual. However, social safety net programs like Social Security and VA benefits could experience delays in processing applications. The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is at risk of running out of funds, potentially impacting mothers and young children. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could also be affected if the shutdown is prolonged.

Federal employees and active-duty military personnel face the prospect of missed paychecks. The first full paycheck missed for federal employees would be October 24th, and October 15th for the military. The White House has also threatened mass layoffs of federal employees. While members of Congress and the President will continue to be paid, they can request to defer their paychecks. Federal employees and military members will receive back pay once the shutdown ends.

National parks are a point of concern, with potential for damage and lack of staffing. The National Weather Service will continue to provide forecasts, but routine maintenance and long-term projects could be delayed. FEMA will continue to operate, but its Disaster Relief Fund is running low, and the National Flood Insurance Program will lapse without congressional action.

The impact will vary by state. Alaska, with a high percentage of federal employees, faces economic uncertainty. Colorado is evaluating options to keep its national parks operational. Oregon has nearly 30,000 federal workers, with different categories of workers affected.

BNN's Perspective: The potential for a government shutdown highlights the critical need for bipartisan cooperation in Washington. While essential services will continue, the disruption to federal workers, social programs, and other vital functions underscores the importance of reaching a timely agreement to ensure the smooth operation of government and minimize the impact on American citizens.

Keywords: government shutdown, federal workers, essential services, paychecks, national parks, FEMA, WIC, SNAP, passport renewals, weather forecasts, Alaska, Colorado, Oregon

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