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Federal Shutdown Threatens Pay for 800,000 Workers

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, November 28th 2025 at 12:28 GMT by Bowl of Quick Cook

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Government Shutdown Looms: Federal Workers’ Pay and Essential Services at Risk

A growing partisan impasse in Washington has pushed the United States to the brink of a federal shutdown, a scenario that could ripple across the nation’s public‑service infrastructure, put thousands of federal employees on unpaid leave, and shut down key national services. The article, originally published on MSN News, explains how a failure to pass a continuing resolution—or a full appropriations bill—will trigger an automatic budgetary stop‑gap that ends federal operations at midnight on the day the deadline passes. Below is a comprehensive summary of the article’s key points, the political context, and the potential ramifications for both federal workers and the American public.

1. The Immediate Risk: Deadline Looms

According to the article, Congress is set to vote on a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal government operational while lawmakers negotiate a longer‑term budget. The deadline for this vote has been set for October 6. If the House and Senate cannot agree on a CR or a full appropriations package by that time, the government will face a shutdown—an event that last occurred in December 2018‑January 2019, lasting 35 days.

The article highlights that the stakes are high: a shutdown would mean federal workers would not receive paychecks, and federal agencies would be forced to halt non‑essential services. “The government is on the verge of shutting down, and that could mean no pay for federal employees, and many services and programs would be impacted,” the piece notes, quoting the U.S. Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen.

2. Who Will Be Affected?

Federal Employees

• Direct Impact: Over 800,000 federal workers, ranging from civil servants to those in the Department of Defense, could be furloughed or placed on unpaid leave.
• Delayed Payments: Even if the shutdown is brief, the Treasury Department would need to process back‑payments, potentially causing a backlog.
• Pensioners and Military: The article notes that retirement pensions and military pay are among the most vulnerable. “Retirees could see delays, and military pay could be paused entirely,” it says.

Government Services

• Social Security & Medicare: While the article clarifies that the Social Security Administration (SSA) would continue to process claims, it cautions that the agency would not be able to pay its workers, potentially delaying claims processing for those needing assistance.
• National Parks & Monuments: Several parks would close or restrict services. Visitors would not be able to enter national parks, and park staff would be furloughed.
• NASA & Space Missions: Ongoing missions could be halted; the article emphasizes that “the agency’s budget would be insufficient for continued operations.”
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: Delays in processing applications could have ripple effects on businesses relying on intellectual property protections.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH): Clinical trials and research could be delayed, with potential scientific and health implications.

Public Impact

• Travel & Aviation: Flight‑departure boards at airports may display “Government Services Under Suspension” until a CR is enacted. TSA agents might be furloughed, raising concerns about airport security.
• Health Care: Medicaid programs in certain states could see reduced staffing, impacting patients reliant on federal support.
• Financial Services: The Federal Reserve may have to continue operations, but the Treasury’s cash management could be hampered, affecting the issuance of new bonds and debt servicing.

3. Political Background & the Budget Stalemate

The article contextualizes the shutdown threat within the larger “budgetary standoff” between Democratic leadership and the Republican opposition over the fiscal year budget. Key points include:

• Border Security Funding: Republicans have demanded increased funding for a wall and additional border patrol personnel, a point that Democrats have opposed.
• Infrastructure and Education: Democrats, led by President Joe Biden, push for a $2 trillion infrastructure plan that includes education, clean energy, and transportation—sectors Republicans argue inflate the budget.
• Defense Spending: Both parties support defense, but Republicans want to increase it by $80 billion; Democrats propose cuts to non‑essential defense projects.
• Fiscal Responsibility: Republicans fear the plan would contribute to a 1.4‑trillion‑dollar debt spike. They argue it could jeopardize future budgetary stability.

The article notes that this budgetary impasse echoes the 2018–2019 shutdown, when a 35‑day standoff over the “Border Wall” bill resulted in significant economic costs—estimated at $2.5 billion per week in lost productivity. “The last shutdown left an indelible mark on the economy and public trust,” the piece writes.

4. Congressional Actions & Negotiations

According to the article, the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has already passed a “full‑year appropriations bill” that includes a $2 trillion infrastructure plan. The Senate, however, is still deadlocked over the same. Key developments:

• Senate Vote: A Senate vote is scheduled for October 5; failure would trigger the shutdown. The article cites Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer saying the committee is working to reconcile differences.
• Compromise: A “stop‑gap” bill, known as a CR, would fund the government through January 1 while negotiations continue. The article notes that Republicans are threatening to “walk away” if their demands are not met.
• Executive Branch’s Role: President Biden has urged lawmakers to act swiftly. The article quotes him saying, “Our country cannot wait another day.”

5. Historical Lessons & Economic Cost

The piece draws on data from the previous shutdown, emphasizing that shutdowns create widespread economic damage. Key points:

• Economic Loss: In the 2018–2019 shutdown, federal contractors, vendors, and even small businesses suffered revenue losses. The article cites a New York Times study estimating a $2.5 billion weekly cost.
• Employee Stress: Federal employees experienced significant anxiety about pay and job security.
• Public Confidence: The shutdown eroded public confidence in the federal government’s ability to manage its finances.

The article warns that a new shutdown could exacerbate the already‑tight federal budget and further dent public trust.

6. Bottom‑Line Takeaway

The risk of a federal shutdown is not merely a political flashpoint; it’s a tangible threat that can disrupt everyday life—from paying federal workers to securing public safety and maintaining critical infrastructure. The article underscores that the political stalemate between the Biden administration and congressional Republicans over funding for border security, infrastructure, and defense has created a “perfect storm” that could collapse the federal budget’s continuity by the end of September.

The article ends with a reminder that the stakes go beyond fiscal policy. “The government shutdown could mean no pay for federal employees, no services for citizens, and a chilling effect on public trust,” it concludes, urging lawmakers to find common ground before the deadline passes.

For Further Context
While the article itself focuses on the impending shutdown, several embedded links provide deeper insights:

• A link to the Biden administration’s full budget proposal offers details on the $2 trillion infrastructure plan.
• A reference to the National Park Service explains which parks are slated for closure.
• A link to the U.S. Treasury’s guidance on pay delays clarifies the administrative steps that will be taken.

These additional resources collectively paint a comprehensive picture of the shutdown’s potential fallout and the urgent need for bipartisan resolution.