For the first time in six years, the federal government is officially shut down. Congressional Democrats, Republicans, and President Donald Trump and his administration are in a standoff over how federal government spending for the next fiscal year should be allocated.
Threats of mass layoffs are looming, with President Donald Trump saying that “vast numbers” of federal workers could be terminated, according to USA TODAY on Oct. 1.
“The White House Office of Management and Budget said in a recent email that workers whose activities are ‘not consistent with the President’s priorities’ are a target,” USA TODAY says.
Here’s a quick breakdown of why the federal government shut down this week, when the last government shutdown was, how long it lasted and how the shutdown could impact Floridians.
Live updates: Government shutdown enters first day as Trump and Democrats spar
Are we in a government shutdown right now?
Yes. The federal government ran out of money at the end of the fiscal year, which ended at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
Congressional leaders weren’t able to overcome their differences on how funds should be allocated before the deadline. As a result, the federal government is now partially shut down until an agreement can be reached. Federal agencies are pausing all non-essential discretionary functions until new funding legislation is passed and signed into law.
The main argument over how to allocate funding centers on cuts to healthcare programs that GOP leaders want to impose. This includes cuts to health programs that benefit millions of Americans, like Medicaid and lapsing Obamacare premium subsidies.
Lawmakers are expected to vote again on funding legislation on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
How long was the longest government shutdown? When was the last government shutdown?
The most recent and longest government shutdown, which lasted from December 2018 through January 2019, was the longest in U.S. history, spanned 35 days and cost the economy around $3 billion.
That shutdown was due to disagreements between the first Trump administration and Congress over funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall, and closely followed a temporary shutdown in 2018 that lasted only a few hours.
Here’s a timeline from USA TODAY of the 21 government shutdowns that have occurred in the last five decades:
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1976: Under President Gerald Ford. Lasted for 11 days.
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1977: Under President Jimmy Carter. Lasted 12 days.
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1977: Under Carter. Lasted eight days.
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1977: Under Carter. Lasted eight days.
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1978: Under Carter. Lasted 17 days.
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1979: Under Carter. Lasted 11 days.
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1981: Under President Ronald Reagan. Lasted two days.
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1982: Under Reagan. Lasted one day.
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1982: Under Reagan. Lasted three days.
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1983: Under Reagan. Lasted three days.
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1984: Under Reagan. Lasted two days.
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1984: Under Reagan. Lasted one day.
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1986: Under Reagan. Lasted one day.
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1987: Under Reagan. Lasted one day.
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1990: Under George H.W. Bush. Lasted four days.
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1995: Under President Bill Clinton. Lasted five days.
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1996: Under Clinton. Lasted 21 days.
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2013: Under President Barack Obama. Lasted 17 days.
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2018: Under President Donald Trump. Lasted three days.
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2018: Under Trump. Lasted several hours.
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2019: Under Trump. Lasted 35 days and cost the economy about $3 billion, equal to 0.02% of GDP, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
How long do government shutdowns last?
A government shutdown can last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks or even months.
The length of a government shutdown depends on how long it takes both sides of the political aisle in Congress to reach an agreement on how federal funds should be allocated in the next fiscal year. There is no legal or Constitutional limit to how long a government shutdown can last.
How the shutdown affects you: Quick look on how government shutdown could affect Florida
How many federal employees are there in Florida?
According to the Office of Management and Budget’s latest data, as of Sept. 2024 there were 95,167 federal employees in all agencies in Florida, about 1 in 20 of all federal employees nationwide.
In its first months the Trump administration worked to slash federal jobs and freeze federal funding through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which resulted in thousands of firings, layoffs and early resignation acceptances. Exact numbers are difficult to determine because some people fired were still on provisionary status and some of Trump’s attempts at workforce reduction have been blocked or reversed by lower courts.
What happens in a government shutdown? Do government workers get paid during a shutdown?
Government shutdowns happen when Congress fails to agree on and pass appropriations bills, which fund the government’s operations for the upcoming fiscal year. Federal agencies classify workers as either “essential” or “nonessential.”
Essential workers continue to work, but may not receive immediate payment. Nonessential workers are furloughed, meaning they are unable to work or receive pay until the government reopens.
The failure to pass a funding bill could lead to furloughs for thousands of federal workers and a reduction in federal services. During the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, USA TODAY reported that approximately 800,000 federal employees went without pay for 35 days.
Most of the government-funded agencies and entities that are hardest hit by the shutdown have some funding and contingency plans to keep their most essential operations going for the time being.
Here are some of the government-funded entities that are affected by the shutdown:
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Environmental and Food Inspection: According to FiercePharma, the impact on the FDA overall is expected to be “limited,” but most routine food inspections have been paused. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, the FDA reinstated some food inspections a few weeks into the funding lapse for high-risk products. The FDA is committed to retaining 86% of its staff, including some managing recalls, according to its shutdown contingency plan. The USDA’s shutdown contingency plan will keep essential inspections for meat, poultry and egg products going, with minimal staff furloughs.
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Though funding for the SNAP program is mandatory, the ability to send out “food stamp” benefits could be affected. Funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will stop. The USDA contingency fund can extend the program for a short time, and some states may have leftover unspent WIC benefits that can be used to keep it going in that state for up to a few weeks.
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Health and Human Services: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be prevented from admitting new patients or processing grant applications. Around three-quarters of NIH staff are being furloughed.
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FEMA: FEMA will still respond to disasters, but a federal shutdown would greatly reduce its impact. Former FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said in 2023 that a shutdown would limit the agency to the funds already in its Disaster Relief Fund for existing and new relief efforts.
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Transportation: Airport security screeners and air traffic controllers stay on duty; new hires and significant infrastructure projects may face delays; absenteeism may impact airport operations.
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White House: Most of the White House staff is furloughed.
Did the government shut down? What to know about mail, parks, Florida federal workers
Does USPS work during a government shutdown?
Mail carriers deliver post in snow, rain, extreme heat … and government shutdowns.
The U.S. Postal Service is not affected because it does not depend on Congressional funding.
Here are some other services that are among those least affected in a shutdown:
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Social Security and Medicare: Social Security benefits continue without interruption; Medicare benefits may experience delays due to the shutdown.
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Veterans Benefits: Veterans continue to receive benefits and medical care without disruption. But applications for changes or new applications may see longer wait times.
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Military: Active-duty military personnel stay on the job, though about half of Pentagon civilian employees may face furloughs.
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National Nuclear Security Administration: The agency remains operational.
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Law Enforcement: Federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and prison staff, remain operational; the Secret Service and Coast Guard continue their duties.
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Borders and Homeland Security: Border Patrol and immigration enforcement agents remain on duty; local governments will not receive new aid for migrant shelters.
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Passport renewal: According to the Department of State’s contingency plan, services such as passports, visas and assisting U.S. citizens abroad will remain “100% operational,” as long as there are sufficient funds to support operations.
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Congressional Pay: Lawmakers continue receiving pay; staffers are furloughed, but essential personnel continue to work.
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White House’s essential offices, the president: As mentioned above, most of the White House staff is furloughed; however, essential offices, such as the National Security Council, continue to operate; the president’s salary remains unaffected.
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National Parks: As mentioned above, public-access park roads, lookouts, trails, and open-air facilities such as memorials will remain open but any buildings that require staffing will be closed.
Contributing: C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida; Terry Moseley, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Last government shutdown was the longest, also under Trump. What to know
