By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO
Shortly after midnight on Oct. 1, the federal government entered a shutdown. Congress failed to pass and, therefore, the president could not sign the legislation necessary to keep the government funded. As a result, agencies across Washington and the nation were forced to scale back operations, furlough staff or limit services.
While political brinkmanship is often treated as theater, the effects of a shutdown are anything but abstract. They ripple through airports, delay paychecks, halt hiring, and slow the flow of everything from background checks to food assistance. In other words, a funding lapse on Capitol Hill means a standstill across the nation.
What a shutdown actually means
Each year, Congress must pass appropriations bills to fund the federal government. When lawmakers fail to do so or cannot agree on a short-term extension known as a “continuing resolution,” agencies lose their authority to spend money. The Antideficiency Act prohibits agencies from operating without funding, forcing many to halt or drastically reduce operations until funding is approved.
Essential services, such as air traffic control or border security, continue. But, for hundreds of thousands of federal workers, a shutdown means furloughs and uncertainty. According to estimates, roughly 900,000 employees are affected by the current lapse in funding, with many expected to miss paychecks as the shutdown drags on.
A 2019 law guarantees that furloughed workers will eventually receive back pay once funding resumes. Still, that assurance offers little comfort to those struggling to pay rent or buy groceries while paychecks are frozen.
Disruptions in air travel
For travelers, the most visible impact is at the airport. Transportation Security Administration agents and air traffic controllers are deemed essential and must continue working without pay. Over time, as bills mount, absenteeism tends to rise, creating longer security lines, delayed flights and increasing pressure on the aviation system.
The Federal Aviation Administration has also furloughed thousands of employees who conduct safety inspections and certify aircraft. That slows the regulatory machinery that keeps air travel running smoothly. During past shutdowns, the FAA reported significant backlogs that took months to resolve even after the government reopened.
Hiring delays and background checks
The shutdown also halts much of the federal hiring process. Agencies such as the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Justice suspend or delay background checks and security clearances. That leaves job candidates in limbo and slows the onboarding process for new employees and contractors. Even private employers who rely on federal systems like E-Verify face setbacks, as those systems often go offline during a shutdown.
Tax refunds and IRS backlogs
The Internal Revenue Service, which depends heavily on annual appropriations, has furloughed nearly half its staff which comprises nearly 34,000 employees. That means fewer workers to process tax refunds, respond to calls or handle audits and appeals. Taxpayers awaiting refunds could face long delays and small business owners who need timely IRS documentation may find themselves in financial limbo.
Although the IRS is legally required to issue back pay once funding resumes, the agency’s operations rarely bounce back overnight. In 2019, it took months for the IRS to fully recover from its shutdown backlog.
Strains on social programs
Mandatory programs like Social Security, Medicare and veterans’ benefits generally continue because they are not funded through annual appropriations. But, many administrative services tied to those programs, including claims processing, appeals and customer assistance, slow dramatically.
Meanwhile, contingency funding for programs like SNAP and WIC can run thin if the shutdown continues for weeks. That leaves low-income families anxious about food assistance and other benefits.
Even the Veterans Affairs system, which maintains hospitals and emergency services, may suspend nonessential activities such as facility upgrades, outreach or certain benefit processing.
Permits, projects and public oversight
A shutdown also means federal regulators stop issuing permits and inspections. Agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior and the Army Corps of Engineers scale back or close offices, halting reviews for infrastructure, construction and energy projects.
The effects extend beyond Washington, delaying approvals that can stall millions of dollars in investments and slow economic activity in local communities. Public health inspections, environmental testing and workplace safety checks are also delayed, creating potential risks that outlast the shutdown itself.
The silence of public spaces
National parks and federally funded museums are often among the first facilities to reduce operations or close. Visitor centers close, maintenance is postponed and park rangers are furloughed. Some parks remain technically open but unstaffed, leading to vandalism, overflowing trash and damaged natural resources.
The tourism losses can be severe. During the 2019 shutdown, local economies near Yellowstone and Yosemite lost millions in visitor revenue, a pattern expected to repeat if the current standoff persists.
The broad impact of a government shutdown
When the federal government shuts down, the effects extend far beyond Washington. Families may miss paychecks, travelers can experience longer lines at airports and job seekers often face delays in background checks and hiring processes. Taxpayers encounter slower responses from federal agencies and local businesses that depend on government workers may see reduced traffic and sales.
Even after funding is restored, agencies typically face backlogs and administrative delays that take time to resolve. The economic effects can continue for weeks or months as departments and contractors work to return to normal operations.
Shutdowns have become a recurring feature of modern budget disputes, highlighting how policy disagreements in Congress can have immediate, practical consequences for people and communities across the country.