It’s estimated that roughly 800,000 federal workers will be sent home today after making final preparations for the government shutdown. October 1 starts a new fiscal year and with no deal on the table, it could cost the economy $1 billion a week with millions of Americans feeling the affects. Want to know more about what happens during a government shutdown (the last time this happened was 1996)? Here’s a quick guide below.
5 Things That Happen During A Government Shutdown
- “Non-essential” federal workers will head home after four hours today. This includes (but isn’t limited to) clinical trials, medical care hotlines, E-Verify immigration program, museums and national parks.
- “Essential” employees continue working, however many may see a delay in paychecks. This includes (but isn’t limited to) national security, the military, air traffic control, the postal service, emergency medical care and public safety.
- In Washington, DC, they could see shutdowns at the DMV, libraries and an interruption of trash collection since so much of the city is funded by the government. It’s reported that approximately $200 million is lost in DC alone for each day the shutdown continues.
- The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is not affected and will continue despite the shutdown.
- The government will stay closed until Congress passes the funding bill (or bills) and the White House signs them.
