President Donald Trump and Democratic leaders remained at odds on Sept. 30, just hours before a possible federal government shutdown that would start Wednesday, Oct. 1.
As the impending deadline nears, both sides continued to clash over a potential halt to all but essential services due to the political impasse.
If congressional leaders cannot strike a deal on funding legislation by midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 30, a partial government shutdown would begin on Oct. 1.
About 800,000 federal employees went without pay for 35 days during the longest-ever U.S. government shutdown in 2018 and 2019, USA TODAY previously reported.
Here is what’s open and closed in a government shutdown.
What happens during a government shutdown?
During a government shutdown, all federal agencies and services deemed non-essential must stop working, affecting thousands of federal employees and, in turn, millions of Americans.
Essential services, like military and law enforcement, remain working.
What's open during a government shutdown?
Here are some services that remain open during a government shutdown. But keep in mind that some services may face disruption or delays. For example, during the 2018-2019 shutdown, air traffic controllers worked without pay, causing widespread delays.
- U.S. Postal Service
- Medicare
- Social Security payments continue, but some SSA services could be impacted
- Air-traffic control
- Banks
- Courts (local, state and federal)
- Border security
- Disaster aid
- Federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, DEA and prison staff will remain operational. The Secret Service and Coast Guard will continue their duties.
- The military: All active-duty personnel stay on the job, but nearly half of the Department of War's 741,477 civilian employees could face furloughs.
What's closed during a government shutdown?
Here's are some places and services that could close during a government shutdown:
- National parks have often closed during shutdowns, but the NPS had not officially released a shutdown contingency plan by Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 30.
- Visitor centers and tours of federal government buildings including the U.S. Capitol, White House, and FBI Building.
- Smithsonian museums could close in the event of an extended shutdown.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Banks, courts, parks. What’s open and closed in a government shutdown?
Reporting by Natalie Neysa Alund and Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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