Is a government shutdown really happening? Here’s what we know.
Trump led Republicans into the longest government shutdown in history during the 2018 Christmas season.
Hours before what could be the start of a potential federal government shutdown, President-elect Donald Trump doubled down Friday on his insistence that a debt ceiling increase be included in any deal — and if not, that the closures “start now.”
On Thursday, the House resoundingly rejected Trump’s new plan to fund operations and suspend the debt ceiling, as Democrats and dozens of Republicans refused to accommodate his sudden demands.
In a hastily convened evening vote punctuated by angry outbursts over the self-made crisis, the lawmakers failed to reach the two-thirds threshold needed for passage.
The outcome proved a massive setback for Trump and his billionaire ally, Elon Musk, who rampaged against House Speaker Mike Johnson’s bipartisan compromise, which Republicans and Democrats had reached earlier to prevent a Christmastime government shutdown.
It’s a glimpse of the turbulence ahead when Trump returns to the White House with Republican control of the House and Senate. During his first term, Trump led Republicans into the longest government shutdown in history during the 2018 Christmas season, and interrupted the holidays in 2020 by tanking a bipartisan COVID-relief bill and forcing a do-over.
Here’s what you need to know about a government shutdown.
What is a government shutdown?
Traditionally, 12 annual appropriation bills outline funding for the various U.S. government agencies. Those bills are lumped together into a single “omnibus” package where they are approved in one vote.
Part of the existing spending plans were set to expire Sept. 30, at the end of the government’s fiscal year. The temporary agreement reached at the time extended funding through Dec. 20.
Who is affected by a government shutdown?
When a shutdown happens, the government isn’t able to spend money — with some exceptions — meaning that federal employees across the country would be expected to work without pay until the shutdown ends or face furloughs. In turn, essential services would continue to operate, but resources would be significantly strained.
Hundreds of thousands of federal employees are impacted by government shutdowns. Those who are expected to work do not receive pay until after the shutdown has ended. The employees are guaranteed back pay. Many employees are also at risk of being furloughed and would not be allowed to work (but would also receive back pay thanks to legislation passed in 2019).
Some of the main groups of employees who could be impacted include active military members, federal law enforcement, federal transportation workers (such as air traffic controllers and TSA agents, but not SEPTA employees, who are not federal workers), national park employees, scientific researchers, and some health-care providers.
What happens to Social Security, Medicare, and veterans benefits during a government shutdown?
Retirement and disability benefit programs, including veteran benefits, would continue on during a government shutdown because that funding is allocated separately from the budget being decided on. There could be some delays in service because of the shutdown.
When would the government shut down?
The current funding agreement expires Friday night, which is also when Congress is supposed to adjourn for a holiday break. If an agreement isn’t reached by Friday at midnight, a shutdown would go into place Saturday at 12:01 a.m. and the government would need to furlough thousands of federal workers and reduce federal services amid the holiday season.
What was the longest government shutdown?
The longest, and most recent, government shutdown lasted 34 days, from Dec. 22, 2018, through Jan. 25, 2019. It was the second government shutdown to occur during Trump’s presidency. That shutdown ended after East Coast airports faced major delays when unpaid air traffic controllers stopped coming to work.
Last year, lawmakers narrowly avoided a federal shutdown when the House and Senate agreed on a short-term funding deal that Biden signed into law minutes before deadline. And in September, Congressional leaders announced a short-term spending deal that funded federal agencies for about three months, circumventing a potential partial government shutdown.
What could a government shutdown mean for Philly?
In Philadelphia, the most recent government shutdown led to the closing of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center.
Last year, the U.S. Department of Interior said that all National Park Service locations would close if a government shutdown went into effect, impacting Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Valley Forge. The agency had not released guidance for this year as of publication time.
The city’s Immigration Court was closed during the 2018-19 shutdown, accepting only emergency filings for people already in detention.
Most federal eastern Pennsylvania law enforcement officers continued to work without pay, but some employees deemed nonessential were temporarily furloughed. Essential Philadelphia International Airport employees continued to work without pay, but resources were strained, with some air traffic controllers furloughed.
Workers at shelters that serve vulnerable populations and rely on federal funding worried about when payments would come.
What happens next?
Congress continues to debate and attempt to negotiate a deal. With leaders at an impasse and dozens of Republicans disagreeing with Trump, Congress has no clear path forward and a partial shutdown could be imminent, disrupting the busy holiday travel season.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.