posted October 06, 2025 01:44 PM
Shutdown expected to last 15 days.
Any longer and this could happen:
What typically happens in a shutdown
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During a government shutdown, agencies lose access to new appropriated funds (unless they have alternative, non-appropriated sources).
“Essential” (or “excepted”) employees continue to work, often without immediate pay, because their functions are considered necessary to protect life or property.
“Non-essential” employees are typically furloughed — i.e. temporarily suspended from work and pay until funding is restored.
Under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act (2019), employees affected by furloughs are supposed to receive retroactive pay once the shutdown ends.
So in a “normal” shutdown scenario, the government uses furloughs (temporary unpaid status) rather than outright job terminations.