The Impending Chaos: Brace Yourselves for the Consequences of a Government Shutdown

The likelihood of a US government shutdown increases daily as lawmakers have failed to reach an agreement to extend funding beyond the crucial end-of-the-month deadline.

Both Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress aim to pass a temporary funding extension in order to avoid a shutdown. However, the success of this plan is uncertain due to the significant differences in spending priorities between the two parties and policy disputes, particularly regarding aid to Ukraine.

Heres what to know if the government shuts down and whats driving the current state of play:

How a government shutdown could be triggered

Government funding will expire on Saturday, September 30 at midnight, marking the start of the new fiscal year. If Congress fails to pass legislation to renew funding by this deadline, the federal government will shut down. However, since this would occur over the weekend, the full effects of the shutdown will only be observed at the beginning of the work week on Monday.

What could happen during a shutdown

In the event of a shutdown, many government operations would come to a halt, but some services deemed "essential" would continue.

Federal agencies have contingency plans in place that outline which activities will persist and which will cease. Currently, agencies have the opportunity to review and revise these plans. It is difficult to precisely forecast the impact on government operations if a shutdown occurs by the end of the month.

During a shutdown, certain government operations and services are classified as essential for safeguarding public safety, national security, or other vital reasons. Notable examples of services that have remained operational during previous shutdowns include border protection, federal law enforcement, and air traffic control.

During a shutdown, federal employees labeled as "non-essential" will be put on furlough, meaning they won't work or receive pay. Similarly, "essential" workers will keep working without pay. However, once the shutdown ends, both groups will receive backpay.

Previously, it was not certain that furloughed employees would receive backpay, but Congress had the power to and often did pass laws to make sure these workers were compensated for their lost wages once a shutdown was over. However, since the passage of legislation led by Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat from Maryland, in 2019, backpay for furloughed workers is now automatically guaranteed. Before this legislation, employees classified as "essential" and required to work during a shutdown were already guaranteed backpay. It's not just federal employees who can be impacted by a shutdown.

During past government shutdowns, national parks have garnered significant attention. While National Park Service sites have typically been closed during these shutdowns, the Trump administration kept many parks open during the 2019 shutdown, albeit with minimal staffing. As a result, several park sites operated for extended periods without crucial visitor services like restrooms, trash collection, facilities, and road maintenance.

Maya MacGuineas, president of the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, expressed how disruptive these shutdowns can be for government workers. She also highlighted the high level of inconvenience for individuals who rely on government services that are inaccessible during shutdowns. However, for many people, everyday governmental functions continue without direct visibility of the inefficiencies and wasted time and resources caused by the shutdowns.

Why the US could be headed for a shutdown

The House and Senate currently face a significant rift regarding the endeavor to achieve agreement on and enact full-year spending legislation. House conservative hardliners are advocating for substantial spending reductions and incorporating contentious policy additions that both Democrats and certain Republicans have deemed excessively radical.

With the funding deadline approaching, bipartisan top lawmakers aim to pass a temporary funding extension called a continuing resolution (CR) at Capitol Hill. These interim measures are commonly utilized to prevent a shutdown and allow for additional time to negotiate a comprehensive full-year funding agreement.

Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether there will be sufficient agreement to approve a short-term funding bill in both chambers before the month's end. House conservatives are vehemently opposed to a stopgap bill and have even threatened to vote against it. They demand significant policy concessions, despite knowing that such concessions would not be accepted by the Senate.

The debate over providing aid to Ukraine may also become a focal point, potentially adding more complexity to the process of passing a short-term bill.

Senate Democrats and Republicans are fully committed to extending assistance to Ukraine, and they may propose including it in a temporary funding bill. However, numerous House Republicans are hesitant to continue providing aid and do not wish to see it linked to a short-term funding measure.

What has the White House said about a shutdown?

The White House issued a stark warning this week that a shutdown could threaten crucial federal programs.

According to the White House, if a shutdown occurs, approximately 10,000 children will no longer have access to Head Start programs nationwide due to the Department of Health and Human Services being unable to grant funds. This would also result in air traffic controllers and TSA officers working without compensation, potentially causing travel delays throughout the country. Additionally, food safety inspections conducted by the Food and Drug Administration would be postponed. The White House emphasized that these consequences can be avoided if House Republicans cease their political games and prioritize the well-being of the American people over the demands of their most extreme members.

CNNs Marnie Hunter, Donald Judd and Piper Hudspeth Blackburn contributed to this report.