2025 Democrat Government Shutdown

The Democrats have shutdown the Government.

The U.S. Congress must pass annual appropriations measures in order to fund federal government agencies by October 1. On September 19, I supported a bipartisan measure that passed the House of Representatives extending current federal funding until November 21 while we finish our work for the full fiscal year. This was a clean, straightforward extension of existing funding without extraneous policy.

Unfortunately this proposal did not pass the Senate, as Senate Democrats blocked the measure and shutdown the government. This means that many federal agencies do not currently have the authority to operate. Other programs deemed essential are allowed by law to continue.

Government Shutdown Information: What You Need to Know

Note: the summary below is based on previous shutdowns. My office is monitoring developments closely and will continuously update this page with guidance from the various different agencies involved.

During the Democrat government shutdown, my DC and district offices will be available to assist you and your family. Our constituent services will continue, however there may be delays in processing casework due to agency policies. To help you plan for a possible federal government shutdown, my office has prepared answers to these frequently asked questions. You can also contact my DC office at 202-225-6576, my Davenport office at 563-232-0930, and my Indianola office at 515-808-6040. We are currently waiting on official guidance from the agencies and will keep you updated as we get more information, should the government shutdown. 

What kinds of services will continue?

While the programs listed below will continue, the agencies responsible for administering them may see reduced workforces impacting operations. This is not a comprehensive list as we are continuing to gather information.

• Social Security payments, including SSI benefits
• Medicare and Medicaid benefits
• VA medical care and benefits (although some regional offices may be closed)
• SNAP benefits (although a prolonged shutdown could create disruptions)
• Disability payments
• Mail delivery
• Federal law enforcement and military operations
• Air travel
• Federal employee retirement payments
• Student aid such as Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans
• Visits to national Smithsonian Museums (until at least Monday, October 6)
• Visa and passport services (although longer wait times are possible)

Resources for Federal Employees

As agencies shut down, federal employees will either be furloughed, or in some cases required to work without pay. Under federal law, employees are entitled to back pay upon the government reopening.

• OPM Operating Status
• OPM Shutdown Furlough Guidance
• Thrift Savings Plan - Lapse in Appropriations

For agency-specific details, visit your department’s .gov site (e.g., www.dhs.gov, www.va.gov) and check their HR or shutdown resource pages.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will I continue to receive my Social Security and SSI checks? 
Recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and SSI checks. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will continue to provide limited services, such as issuing Social Security cards and holding appointments for benefit applications. However, SSA will halt activities like benefit verifications and processing overpayments and the public will likely experience increased wait times for customer service.  

Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?
Medicare, Medicaid and Disability Insurance (DI) will be largely unaffected by a shutdown lasting less than three months. Current beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits.

What will happen with SNAP and WIC? 
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will remain operational in the case of a shutdown, and benefits will continue being disbursed.

What is the impact on veterans' services?
All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational. The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits.

Will military and federal retiree benefits be suspended?
Military and federal retirees will continue to receive their retirement benefits. Processing new applications or other requested changes will be delayed. Benefits processing compensation, pension, education, healthcare, and housing benefits  will all continue. 

Which federal employees keep working during a government shutdown?
When the government shuts down, federal agencies are required to classify their employees whose salaries have lapsed as either "excepted" or "not excepted." The employees classified as "excepted" work without pay during the shutdown. The employees classified as "not excepted" are put on unpaid furlough. Under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, all federal employees must be retroactively paid for the duration of the shutdown upon its conclusion. 

What is the impact on U.S. military personnel and federal law enforcement?
In previous shutdowns, all active-duty and Guard and Reservists on active-duty orders were excepted and therefore are required to work. On-base non-acute health care ceased, but off-base care provided through Tricare was not impacted. On-base child care was open on a case-by-case basis. Federal law enforcement was also required to work. Both federal law enforcement and military personnel will not be paid until after the shutdown is over. 

Will mail still be delivered?
Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown.

Will commercial air travel be affected?
In prior shutdowns, air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents remained on the job. However, like all federal employees, they will not be paid until the shutdown is over. All consular, passport, and visa assistance may be delayed. 

What is the impact on small businesses?
In prior shutdowns, the Small Business Administration (SBA) stopped processing new business loans, such as through the 7(a) and 504 programs. However, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program continued regular operations.

What is the impact on federal housing loans?
In prior shutdowns, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) stopped insuring some new mortgages and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) stopped processing some new loans. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) also stopped new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA will continue to guarantee home loans. Crop insurance will continue during the government shutdown. 

What is the impact on student loans? 
Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans should continue to be obligated and disbursed during a federal shutdown, but only as long as carryover and mandatory appropriations last. The department staff needed to carry out these functions are significantly reduced during a shutdown. Free Applications for Student Aid (FAFSA), Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans should continue for a “very limited time” under a shutdown. If a shutdown continues for an extended period of time, school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages due to lapsed federal funding.

What happens with passport and immigration applications?
Visa and passport operations are fee-funded and not normally impacted by a shutdown. Immigration court cases on the detained docket should still proceed during a lapse in congressional appropriations while non-detained docket cases will be reset for a later date when funding resumes. In past shutdowns the Department of Homeland Security has continued Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement staffing and operations. All services at international embassies and consulates should continue during a shutdown. If you are abroad and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

What is the impact on disaster relief efforts?
FEMA staff will still respond to emergencies. In prior shutdowns, long-term projects were delayed due to a lack of funding in the Disaster Relief Fund.

What is the impact on food safety activities?
In prior shutdowns, some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety activities — such as routine inspections of facilities — were delayed. All FDA activities related to imminent threats to the safety of human life or protection of property will continue including managing recalls, mitigating drug shortages, and responding to outbreaks related to food borne illness and infectious disease. 

Will tax refunds be delayed? 
During previous federal shutdowns, taxpayer phone calls, taxpayer disputes and tax refunds were delayed.

Do national parks and monuments close? 
To date, NPS guidance has not been released. National Park closures will be determined on a location-by-location basis; open-air parks and monuments in Washington, D.C. will likely remain accessible. Smithsonian museums may also be impacted by a lengthy shutdown. Many services and facilities could be impacted – including visitor centers, educational programs, restrooms, trash collection, and road maintenance. There would also be limited emergency/rescue services and safety updates would not be published. Please keep this in mind when planning any visits to national parks.

What about Capitol and White House tours? 
The tour guides and visitor centers of federal government buildings are considered non-essential and will be closed during a shutdown. This means that all tours of the U.S. Capitol, White House, Library of Congress and FBI Building will be canceled during a shutdown.