Everything you need to know about a government shutdown Everything you need to know about the government shutdown As of 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, the federal government is shut down. Only “excepted employees” and federal workers who are “exempt” from furlough may perform work until the current lapse in appropriations is over. Our political leaders are elected to serve the public, and by failing to keep the government open and working they are failing to uphold that central promise to the American people. Why it matters This particular shutdown has especially high stakes. During the past year, the administration has already executed a de facto government shutdown by arbitrarily removing hundreds of thousands of civil servants through haphazard workforce cuts, unilaterally freezing congressionally approved funding, failing to enforce laws and effectively sabotaging the work at agencies dealing with everything from public health and education to consumer protection, foreign aid, law enforcement and scientific research. Until a spending deal is reached, the Trump administration will have enormous latitude to determine which government services and programs will continue and which agencies to keep open or shut down. These decisions could go much farther than what has occurred in past shutdowns, as the administration has directed agencies to execute mass layoffs of federal employees who are currently furloughed. “Ultimately, this shutdown is a critical turning point for our democratic system of governance. The current dysfunctional approach to funding the government is clearly unsustainable, reckless and a flagrant disregard of taxpayer resources. Congress must reach an agreement to reopen the government as soon as possible and find a long-term solution to incentivize government funding per set deadlines without the threat of shutdowns.” Partnership President and CEO Day-to-day government operations should never become hostage to policy differences or unilateral actions by the White House. Our legislative and executive branches must work together to make shutdowns—and the continual threat of a shutdown as well as the suspension of congressionally approved services—a thing of the past so that our government can better serve the public and solve our national challenges. The resources below will help you better understand the current government shutdown, including a government shutdown FAQ primer, case studies, commentary and research on how shutdowns harm the public. Press Room 10/22/2025, Partnership for Public Service statement ahead of Shutdown Fairness Act vote 10/17/2025, New Partnership for Public Service polling finds nearly half of Americans already noticing shutdown impacts 10/10/2025, Statement on reductions in force at federal agencies amid government shutdown 10/10/2025, Statement on first missed payday for federal employees during government shutdown 10/7/2025, Statement on compensation for furloughed federal employees during the government shutdown 10/1/2025, Statement on the government shutdown 9/25/2025, Statement on the threat of additional federal agency RIFs in the case of a government shutdown Stay Up to Date Subscribe to our emails to receive our latest news and updates. Key resources for federal leaders and employees Shutdown Letdown report Read four case studies that offer insights into a shutdown’s impact on small businesses, federal agencies and the public. Read the report 100 Reasons to Stop Future Government Shutdowns These 100 news stories provide a window into the harmful consequences of the shutdown of our federal government from Dec. 22, 2018 until Jan. 28, 2019. Explore more FedSupport A centralized and reliable place where you can find answers to your questions, share critical information, and access resources. Check back regularly for new updates and sign up for our weekly newsletter. Visit FedSupport.org Resources for federal employees The current government shutdown has created uncertainty, stress and financial strain for many in the federal workforce. Your dedication to public service matters. We’ve compiled resources to help you navigate the shutdown. Explore resources Key resources for the public Government shutdowns 101: FAQs (Last updated Sept. 26, 2025) What is a government shutdown and how does it affect federal employees and the public? Our FAQ answers all your shutdown-related questions. Read the FAQs Fed Figures: How the Federal Workforce is Impacted During a Government Shutdown (Last updated Oct. 8, 2025) Our Fed Figures analysis highlights the direct impact that a federal government shutdown can have on millions of civilian federal employees and active-duty military personnel. Read more The Cost of the Shutdown In an effort to document the real-life impact of the shutdown, the Partnership for Public Service has launched The Cost of the Shutdown, which curates news stories on a daily basis describing the harm caused by the disruption or halting of vital services provided by the government. Explore stories Join the I Support Feds campaign Show your support of our federal workers. Federal workers play a vital role in our everyday lives. They work behind the scenes, helping people receive critical government services, such as applying for benefits, renewing passports, tax support, nutrition and immunization assistance and many other services. Federal workers keep our nation running and moving forward. Show your support In the media 10/17/2025, CNN, Federal workers still on the job have a new worry: Taking a day off during the shutdown 10/15/2025, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Some Philly federal workers are working through the shutdown. It’s ‘awful’ and ‘depressing.’ 10/7/2025, CNN, Trump questions back pay for federal workers furloughed as part of government shutdown 10/6/2025, Civic Media, Shutdowns, Public Service, and a New Vision for Wisconsin 10/4/2025, The Washington Post, ‘We’re just beaten’: For beleaguered federal workers, shutdown is last straw 10/3/2025, C-SPAN, Max Stier on Government Shutdown Impact on Federal Workers 10/2/2025, The Atlantic, A Government Shutdown, Weaponized 10/2/2025, NBC News, Trump administration uses government websites and email messages to pin the shutdown on Democrats 10/1/2025, Fast Company, Why this government shutdown is different 10/1/2025, The Wall Street Journal, Government Shutdown Begins as Funding Lapses 10/1/2025, NPR WAMU, The federal shutdown presents job risks for federal workers and contractors 9/30/2025, The Baltimore Sun, Maryland faces double blow as shutdown and mass federal job cuts hit state workforce 9/28/2025, The Boston Globe, This government shutdown may be the most unpredictable yet. Here’s what we know about how it could play out. 9/26/2025, NPR, New threats from the White House as a government shutdown looms 9/23/2025, The Contrarian, A shutdown might make Trump more powerful, by Max Stier 9/23/2025, CNN Politics, How federal agencies will handle a government shutdown under Trump remains to be seen 3/11/2025, The Contrarian, A double-barreled government shutdown, by Max Stier Related blogs Thumbnail for Understanding the status of federal employees as the government shutdown continues Understanding the status of federal employees as the government shutdown continues Read more Thumbnail for Reductions in force during the government shutdown Reductions in force during the government shutdown Read more Thumbnail for The impact of the government shutdown on travel, business and benefits The impact of the government shutdown on travel, business and benefits Read more Thumbnail for What federal employees should know about retroactive pay after a government shutdown What federal employees should know about retroactive pay after a government shutdown Read more Thumbnail for Half of Americans say the federal government shutdown is impacting their community Half of Americans say the federal government shutdown is impacting their community Read more Thumbnail for Who gets paid during a government shutdown? 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