Jobs, travel, national parks - what impact will US shutdown have?

October 1, 2025

The US federal government has shut down following a budget standoff between Republican and Democratic lawmakers, affecting operations through October and beyond. Approximately 750,000 federal employees (40% of the workforce) will be placed on unpaid leave, while essential workers must continue without pay until the shutdown ends. The shutdown will disrupt numerous services including air travel, passport processing, national parks access, scientific research, and social programs such as WIC food assistance.

Who is affected

Federal employees (approximately 750,000 workers placed on unpaid leave)
Essential workers who must work without pay (air traffic controllers, TSA agents, law enforcement officers, border protection staff)
Federal contractors (who historically do not receive back-pay)
Air travelers facing potential delays and longer security lines
Americans applying for passports
National park visitors
People depending on social health programs (Medicare and Medicaid users might face service interruptions)
Recipients of food assistance programs (WIC program expected to rapidly run out of funds)
Scientists and researchers at agencies like CDC and NIH

What action is being taken

Essential workers including law enforcement, border protection staff, hospital medical care providers, and air-traffic controllers are continuing to work without pay
The Smithsonian Institution museums are staying open until at least October 6 using funds from previous years
The US Postal Service is maintaining normal operations as it does not depend on Congressional funding
Animals at the National Zoo continue to be fed and cared for despite the shutdown
Some federal employees are taking second jobs to cope with the lack of payment

Why it matters

The shutdown causes widespread disruption to government services affecting daily life for Americans
750,000 federal workers (40% of the workforce) are forced into unpaid leave
Essential workers must work without compensation until the shutdown ends
Critical programs like WIC food assistance could rapidly run out of funding
Scientific research at agencies like CDC and NIH is being interrupted
National parks and public lands may be vulnerable to vandalism and damage without proper staffing
Travel delays could ripple throughout the country if air traffic controllers and TSA agents call out sick

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC