Impact of US Government Shutdown: Navigating Travel, Jobs, and National Parks

Sun Oct 19 2025 17:45:22 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The ongoing shutdown of the US federal government leaves nearly 750,000 federal workers on unpaid leave while affecting travel, public services, and national parks across the nation.

The US federal government has entered a shutdown following a failed budget resolution by lawmakers, impacting air travel, public services, and national parks. Approximately 750,000 federal employees face unpaid leave, while essential services like TSA and air traffic control continue, albeit with delays. National parks may remain open with limited supervision, leading to concerns over visitor safety and environmental protection. The repercussions extend to healthcare for the elderly and poor, highlighting the far-reaching effects of this political impasse.

The US federal government has shut down after Republican and Democratic lawmakers failed to resolve a budget stand-off.

The impasse affects the funding of government operations throughout October and beyond, poised to cause widespread disruption for Americans in areas ranging from air travel to zoo visits.

This political gridlock is expected to put 40% of the federal workforce—about 750,000 people—on unpaid leave.

A federal shutdown could impact travelers in various ways, leading to long security queues and potential delays as unpaid air traffic controllers may choose to stay home. Though air traffic control and Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) workers are classified as essential and will continue to work, they will not receive pay during the shutdown, echoing patterns seen during the previous shutdown in 2018-2019.

Americans planning international travel may experience delays in receiving passport services, further complicating travel plans.

Federal employees will experience the most significant impact, as many will not receive paychecks. Law enforcement staff will continue to work, although over 200,000 will do so without compensation.

National parks face the possibility of closure or reduced services due to the lack of staffing, which could lead to risks for both visitors and the environment. Previous shutdowns have resulted in vandalism and littering in parks with inadequate oversight.

The Smithsonian Institution museums have pledged to remain open, funding operations through prior year surpluses, while zoo operations will continue as staff ensure animal care remains a priority.

Healthcare services for the elderly and poor could face interruptions, with social health programs and food assistance initiatives at risk of running out of funds.

In contrast, the US Postal Service remains uninterrupted, maintaining business as usual during the shutdown.

The ramifications of this federal shutdown underline the importance of governmental stability and its influence on everyday life for citizens across the United States.