Government Shutdown FAQ

This press release from Representative Ami Bera (D-CA) was published on Sun Sep 28 and titled "Government Shutdown FAQ". It focuses on immigration and touches on healthcare, taxes.

Government Shutdown FAQ Government Shutdown FAQ Louie.Kahn@mai… Mon, 09/29/2025 - 16:47 UPDATE: As of November 12, 2025, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution to reopen the federal government. This measure extends federal funding through January 30, 2026. While this agreement brought an end to the 43-day government shutdown, several important issues remain at stake — including the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies. I remain deeply committed to working with my colleagues to extend these vital subsidies, helping keep healthcare premiums affordable for more than 20 million Americans. With government operations resuming, furloughed federal employees are being called back to work, and back pay processing has begun. Federal program services and benefits are also returning, though some agencies may take time to return to normal operations. If you have questions about the status of federal services, benefits, or assistance, please contact my office — we’re here to help you navigate any challenges as the government gets back up and running. Why does the government shut down? A government shutdown occurs when Congress is unable to pass the funding bills—known as appropriations—that keep federal agencies running into the next fiscal year, which begins on October 1. Because no agreement was reached by 11:59 PM on September 30, 2025, a partial shutdown is now underway as of 12:01 AM ET on October 1. While some essential services continue during the shutdown, others are currently disrupted or delayed. What does a government shutdown mean for Sacramento County? It’s difficult to fully quantify the immediate effects of a government shutdown on Sacramento County. Our Congressional District is home to nearly 5,000 federal employees. At this time, it remains unclear how many of these employees are temporarily furloughed, required to work without pay, or subject to layoffs as part of Reduction in Force (RIF) initiatives by the Trump Administration. What government services and programs are impacted during a government shutdown and what effect does this have on the public? A government shutdown, whether partial or full, impacts a variety of services and programs. During the 2018-2019 partial shutdown, the Food and Drug Administration suspended routine inspections, increasing public health risks. The National Park Service stopped trash collection and road repairs, creating unsanitary conditions and unsafe roads, while some national parks and museums closed entirely. Additionally, over 86,000 immigration court hearings were canceled, exacerbating existing backlogs. The shutdown also threatened the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program in some states, putting low-income families and children at risk. These disruptions illustrate how shutdowns can detrimentally affect public services and society's most vulnerable members. 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. For instance, during the 2018-2019 shutdown, air traffic controllers worked without pay, causing widespread delays and even a temporary halt of incoming flights at LaGuardia airport. Services independent of annual appropriations bills, such as the U.S. Postal Service and programs like Social Security and Medic