Government Shutdown
Due to a lapse in government funding, the federal government entered a shutdown at midnight on September 30, 2025. I stand ready to work with anyone—regardless of party—to end this shutdown and deliver the stable, responsible governance the American people deserve. In the meantime, both my Washington, D.C., and Rochester offices are fully operational. I have provided some answers to frequently asked questions about the shutdown below. You can also call my Washington office at (202) 225-3615 or my Rochester office at (585) 232-4850 with questions or to share your concerns.
Please check back for continued updates.
What is a government shutdown?
A shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass the legislation required to provide funding for the federal government for the upcoming fiscal year.
Congress has the sole authority to provide funding for the federal government and its services, which includes everything from paying social security checks, to running national parks, to paying troops, and a variety of other programs and services essential to the everyday lives of individuals and families.
It is an annual duty of Congress to come together and agree on appropriations bills to fund the federal government. If a new appropriations bill isn't enacted by the deadline, Congress needs to pass a temporary measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), which sustains the government's funding at its current level. For instance, a CR passed this year would maintain funding at Fiscal Year 2024 levels. In the absence of an approved appropriations bill or a CR, the government faces a shutdown due to a lack of authorized funding.
During a shutdown, all types of federal spending are put on pause until a budget agreement can be reached.
What government services and programs are impacted during a government shutdown and what effect does this have on the public?
A government shutdown, whether partial or full, impacts a variety of services and programs. During the 2018-2019 partial shutdown, the Food and Drug Administration suspended routine inspections, increasing public health risks. The National Park Service stopped trash collection and road repairs, creating unsanitary conditions and unsafe roads, while some national parks and museums closed entirely. Additionally, over 86,000 immigration court hearings were canceled, exacerbating existing backlogs. The shutdown also threatened the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program in some states, putting low-income families and children at risk. These disruptions illustrate how shutdowns can detrimentally affect public services and society's most vulnerable members.
What government services and programs remain uninterrupted during a shutdown?
During a government shutdown, essential services related to national security and public safety, like inpatient and emergency medical care, air traffic control, law enforcement, border security, disaster aid, and power grid maintenance, continue, though they may face disruptions. For instance, during the 2018-2019 shutdown, air traffic controllers worked without pay, causing widespread delays and even a temporary halt of incoming flights at LaGuardia airport. Services independent of annual appropriations bills, such as the U.S. Postal Service and programs like Social Security and Medicare, also continue, but may experience interruptions. For example, during the Fiscal Year 1996 shutdown, most Social Security Administration staff were initially furloughed, leading to delays in services like public inquiries and benefit claims processing, even though Social Security benefits remained funded.
What is the impact of a government shutdown on the public and the U.S. economy?
Shutdowns are detrimental to both the public, who face service and program disruptions, and federal employees, who are either furloughed or required to work without pay. Moreover, they pose a significant strain on government resources. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and federal agencies need to develop and implement shutdown plans, a process that requires substantial staff time and resources, potentially detracting from public services. Shutdowns also cause revenue losses, such as those from visitor fees or gift store sales when national parks close. Additionally, shutdowns negatively impact the economy. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the 2018-2019 shutdown cost the U.S. economy $11 billion, mainly due to federal workers reducing their spending in response to lost pay. Notably, this decrease in spending may not rebound even after workers receive their back pay.
Which federal facilities will be impacted by this government shutdown?
Among others, the following federal facilities may be affected in the event of a government shutdown:
- Military bases, arsenals, depots, and federal armories
- Veterans’ Affairs medical facilities
- Federal prisons and courthouses
- National laboratories
- National Park System facilities, National Forests, and other federally owned or managed lands
- Ports including seaports, airports, and intermodal terminals that may host federal customs processing facilities or law enforcement
- IRS facilities
- Law enforcement agencies like the FBI, ATF, DEA, or CBP
- General federal office buildings