US Government Shutdown 2025: Travel, Workers, and Services Affected
The US federal government has officially shut down after Republican and Democratic lawmakers failed to resolve a budget impasse, halting operations and causing widespread disruption across the country. The deadlock, which affects funding through October and beyond, has put about 40% of federal workers – nearly 750,000 employees – on unpaid leave, raising concerns about its economic and social impact. Air travel is one of the most affected sectors. While air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff are considered “essential” and will continue working, they will not be paid until the shutdown ends. During the last major shutdown in 2018–2019, unpaid workers increasingly called in sick, leading to significant delays at airports. Americans planning overseas trips could also face delays, as passport agencies have warned of slower processing times. Federal employees, especially those not deemed essential, will face […]