During the first three weeks of this year’s government shutdown, the impact on Americans and our economy has been limited, but prolonged disruptions to key services could undermine confidence in our political institutions. Amid widespread public mistrust of our government and elected leaders, these shutdowns can further erode faith in the health of our democracy.
A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass appropriations bills or a CR (continuing resolution) to fund the government for the next fiscal year. In the absence of funding legislation, departments and agencies must discontinue non-essential operations until a new bill is passed and signed into law. The exceptions are those deemed essential, such as border protection, in-hospital medical care, air traffic control, and law enforcement. Some employees remain on the job but may be required to work without pay until the appropriations process reopens.
Local impacts vary but often include closures of national parks and other public lands; delays in processing passport applications, small business loans, or student loan repayment; and reduced food safety inspections. Federal agencies that collaborate with local law enforcement, such as the FBI and DEA, may experience hampered capacity. Federal agencies that play critical roles in disaster preparedness and recovery may also be unable to perform their functions during a shutdown.
In the short term, the shutdown hurts hundreds of thousands of federal workers who live paycheck to paycheck. President Trump has argued that he understands the pressures of working families but his efforts to prolong this shutdown-now the longest in history-is hurting them and harming low-wage communities across the country.
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