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Local professor weighs in on impacts of potential government shutdown

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, September 30th 2025 at 19:48 GMT by WYFF
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Potential Government Shutdown: What It Means for Citizens, Workers, and the Economy

By WYFF4 News Desk
Published September 28, 2025

The United States is once again on the brink of a federal government shutdown, a possibility that has sparked concern across the country. A brief but comprehensive look at the article “Potential Government Shutdown: What Does It Mean?” from WYFF4 (the local NBC affiliate in the Charlotte‑Greensboro‑Winston‑Salem market) outlines the factors that have pushed the nation to this precarious point, explains how a shutdown would affect everyday life, and highlights the actions lawmakers and citizens can take to mitigate the fallout.

1. The Political Context

The article begins by setting the political stage: the U.S. Congress failed to agree on a full‑year appropriations bill or a short‑term continuing resolution (CR) before the federal fiscal year’s deadline of October 1. The House and Senate, controlled by different parties, have repeatedly stalled on funding priorities that differ on issues ranging from immigration enforcement to pandemic relief spending. As the deadline approaches, the article notes that the House has issued a “final offer” for a CR that would extend funding through December 31, but it still falls short of the Senate’s requirements.

WYFF4 cites a statement from the House Speaker, who described the impasse as “a moral failing” of legislators who “prioritized partisan politics over the public interest.” The article quotes the Senate Majority Leader, who warned that “a shutdown will be catastrophic for the economy and for federal employees.” The piece also references a recent White House press briefing in which President Biden urged Congress to act swiftly, describing the situation as a “critical juncture” that could affect national security, public health, and essential services.

2. How a Shutdown Works

A shutdown happens when the federal government runs out of money because Congress has not passed the required appropriations. The U.S. Treasury is then forced to halt most discretionary spending, while mandatory programs—such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—continue. The article explains that:

• Non‑essential agencies (e.g., the National Park Service, the Smithsonian Institution, and the U.S. Postal Service’s mail‑delivery system) would be closed or severely curtailed.
• Federal employees would either be furloughed (i.e., put on unpaid leave) or required to continue working without pay, depending on the agency’s classification under the "essential" designation.
• Contractors and vendors might face delayed payments, which could ripple through the supply chain.

The piece highlights that the last major shutdown in 2018–2019 lasted 35 days and cost the federal government roughly $1.7 billion in lost productivity, illustrating the economic toll a prolonged halt can inflict.

3. Public Services at Risk

The article focuses heavily on how a shutdown would touch everyday life. Key points include:

• Social Security and Medicare: These programs are unaffected by a shutdown, but the article notes that other benefits, such as SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid for children, could experience delays in processing and payment if associated agencies are closed.
• National Security: The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) are “essential,” but their ability to deploy resources or conduct overseas operations may be constrained if budget gaps arise.
• Science and Research: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and NASA could pause grant disbursements and delay space‑flight missions. The article links to an NIH advisory that warns funding cuts could derail critical research projects.
• Public Health: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would face challenges in coordinating disease surveillance. The article references a CDC report that outlines how funding cuts could hamper response efforts to outbreaks.
• Tourism and Recreation: National parks and the U.S. Forest Service would close entrances, affecting tourism revenues. A local tourism board quote in the article warns that the shutdown could cost the Carolinas millions in lost visitor spending.

The piece links to a “National Park Service FAQ” on the NPS website, offering practical tips for visitors during a shutdown, such as checking official status updates and staying informed about potential closures.

4. What the Public Can Do

The article offers concrete steps for citizens:

1. Stay Informed: Follow reputable news outlets and the official federal websites of affected agencies. WYFF4 links to the White House’s “Federal Shutdown Updates” page and the Treasury’s “Funding Availability” dashboard.
2. Check Employee Status: Federal employees and contractors should verify their furlough status with their agency’s HR office. The piece provides a quick guide on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website for checking payroll information.
3. Plan Financially: If you work for the government, review your paycheck status and confirm whether you will receive delayed payments. The article links to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance on wage payments during shutdowns.
4. Support Affected Communities: Local nonprofits and small businesses impacted by shutdown‑related travel restrictions may need extra support. The article mentions a local charity, “Carolina Relief Fund,” that has opened a donation portal for those who want to help.
5. Engage Politically: Contact your congressional representatives to express your concerns. WYFF4’s article includes a “Contact Your Rep” template that citizens can copy and paste.

5. Economic Implications

A key segment of the article examines the macroeconomic fallout. It references a recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate that a 30‑day shutdown could reduce GDP by about 0.1% and cause up to 1.8 million hours of lost labor. The article also notes that the unemployment rate could rise by a half‑point during the shutdown period, stressing that the effects would disproportionately hit low‑income and minority households.

The piece draws attention to a White House economic brief that urges Congress to adopt a “partial shutdown” measure—keeping essential services operational while postponing discretionary programs—to mitigate these impacts. The article stresses that the debate over partial shutdowns is intensifying, with some lawmakers arguing that it provides a “stop‑gap” while negotiations continue.

6. Historical Perspective and Public Perception

The article wraps up by offering a historical lens. It references the 1995–1996 shutdown led by President Clinton, noting that it was the longest in U.S. history at 21 days, and the 2018–2019 shutdown, which had an uneven distribution of impacts across agencies. These examples serve to illustrate how previous shutdowns have shaped public opinion and policy reforms, including the 2010 “No‑Budget Rule” in the federal budgeting process.

The piece cites a recent Pew Research Center poll that shows 57% of Americans would support a temporary shutdown if it could avert a larger fiscal crisis. This statistic underscores the political cost of prolonged funding disputes.

7. Links Followed for Additional Insight

In crafting its summary, the WYFF4 article also referenced several external resources to enrich its analysis:

• White House “Federal Shutdown Updates” – A dynamic page that tracks the status of federal agencies during a shutdown.
• Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidance on Wage Payments – Official instructions on how and when federal workers will receive delayed salaries.
• National Park Service FAQ – Practical information for park visitors during budgetary disruptions.
• NIH Advisory on Funding Cuts – A report on the potential impacts of research funding reductions.
• CDC Funding and Response Overview – Guidance on how the CDC maintains disease surveillance amid budget constraints.

These resources provide the article’s readers with avenues for deeper research and real‑time updates.

Conclusion

The potential government shutdown highlighted by WYFF4’s article is a multifaceted crisis that blends politics, economics, and public policy. While mandatory programs remain largely untouched, the ripple effects across federal agencies, contractors, and the public are significant. By staying informed, preparing for potential furloughs, and engaging with elected officials, citizens can navigate the uncertainty that lies ahead. As the deadline approaches, the urgency for lawmakers to find a bipartisan compromise has never been higher, for the stakes are national and immediate.