Shutdown FAQ

Government Shutdown FAQs

Why does the government shut down? 

The government shuts down when Congress is unable to pass appropriations bills that finance the operations of federal agencies and programs, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These appropriations bills are designed to fund the government until the conclusion of each fiscal year, which ends on September 30. Typically, Congress passes 12 funding bills related to different areas of government. For Fiscal Year 2026 funding, Congress has passed 6 of these 12 bills to fund various agencies through September 30, 2026. If the remaining six bills are not passed by January 30, 2026, we will experience a partial shutdown. 

In the event that Congress cannot agree on new fiscal year funding, 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 2025 levels. In the absence of an approved appropriations bill or a CR, the government faces a partial shutdown due to a lack of authorized funding.

Which federal departments are affected by the partial shutdown? 

  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Department of the Treasury
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • Department of Education
  • Department of Defense
  • Department of Health and Human Services
  • Department of Labor
  • Department of State
  • Department of Transportation

Which federal department will not be affected? 

  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of Commerce
  • Department of Energy
  • Department of the Interior
  • Department of Justice
  • Department of Veterans Affairs

What government services and programs are impacted during a government shutdown? 

A government shutdown, whether partial or full, impacts a variety of services and programs. Services that fall under one of the affected agencies will experience pauses and or delays in their service.

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. 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. 

What happens to federal employees during a shutdown? 

Federal employees from shut down agencies are either furloughed—prohibited from work and unpaid—or required to work without pay if their roles are deemed essential to public safety. While Congress has traditionally approved retroactive payment for these employees once the government reopens, this does not prevent the immediate financial difficulties they face. Following the 2019 Shutdown, Congress passed the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, which provides immediate retroactive back pay to federal employees after a shutdown ends. Government contractors, unlike direct federal employees, typically do not receive back pay after shutdowns. 

What is the process to end a government shutdown, and can the President unilaterally end it? 

To end a government shutdown, Congress needs to pass, and the President must sign, appropriations bills to fund the departments and agencies that have been shut down. The President does not have the power to end a shutdown unilaterally. The funding bills follow the same legislative process as any other bill, requiring approval from both the House and Senate before the President can sign them into law.

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. 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. 

What is the impact on U.S. military personnel and federal law enforcement?

All active-duty and Guard and Reservists on active-duty orders are excepted and therefore are required to work without pay. On-base non-acute health care will cease, although off-base care provided through Tricare will not be affected. On-base childcare will be open on a case-by-case basis. Federal law enforcement will also be required to work without pay for the duration of a shutdown.

Will military and federal retiree benefits be suspended?

Military and federal retirees will continue to receive their retirement benefits. Processing new applications or other requested changes will be delayed.

Will federal facilities be impacted by this government shutdown?

Federal facilities may be affected in the event of a government shutdown. Please check respective websites to determine if the federal facility you need to access will be open during a partial government shutdown. 

Office Operations

My office will still be taking constituent calls, messages, and taking federal casework. 

Although some agencies may be closed, we will do our best to provide assistance with your casework request. To get started with casework, visit salinas.house.gov/casework. 

You can call my office at (503) 385-0906, and you can write to me at salinas.house.gov/contact. 

Additional FAQ 

Will I continue to receive my Social Security and SSI checks?

Recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and SSI checks. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will provide limited services like issuing Social Security cards and holding appointments for benefit applications. However, SSA will stop services like benefit verifications and processing overpayments. Customer service wait times will dramatically increase.

Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?

Current Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits, assuming a shutdown lasts less than three months.

What happens to veterans' services?

The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits. However, veterans will be affected by the shutdown of other services that they count on, including education and job training, support for veteran-owned businesses, and even assistance for homeless veterans.


Will my White House, U.S. Capitol, and/or other Washington, D.C. tours be cancelled?

Many public buildings in Washington, D.C. will be closed to the public during a shutdown. If you have previously scheduled a tour that falls during a shutdown, it will be cancelled. Our office will provide further guidance for tours scheduled in January and beyond. Please contact us directly if you have additional questions about your upcoming trip to Washington, D.C.

How will the shutdown affect travel?

Air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers will be forced to work without pay, which could lead to delays, long wait times, and safety concerns for travelers flying from PDX, Salem, and airports across Oregon.

Will my mail still arrive?

Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown.

What is the impact on state and local services?

The federal government shutdown will not immediately affect any state or local services. However, with federal funding cut off, some state or local governments may have to change their operations. Check with state and local agencies for specific questions.

If you or someone you know in Oregon has been affected by the federal government shutdown, there are state and community resources available to help with food, utilities, housing, and more.

Food & Basic Needs

  • Food Assistance: https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/assistance/food-benefits

Utility & Energy Bill Assistance

 Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP):

Rent, Housing, Legal Help & Self Help

Employment, Benefits, & Income Support

  • Oregon Unemployment Insurance: https://unemployment.oregon.gov
  • Oregon Health Plan (Medical Assistance): https://www.oregon.gov/oha/hsd/ohp
  • Public Benefits Hotline (Legal Help with SNAP/TANF/Medicaid): 1-800-520-5292

Additional Supports

For 24/7 help finding local resources anywhere in Oregon, call 2-1-1 or visit https://211info.org.

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Phone: (503) 385-0906
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