The federal government faces a shutdown lasting several days minimum, with essential services like military and Social Security continuing, while national parks close.
A government shutdown is all but assured to begin at 12:01 a.m. ET Wednesday.
The Senate will take a test vote to break a filibuster on a House-passed interim spending bill later today. But that needs 60 yeas. That means Democratic votes are necessary, and that’s why the government likely shuts down.
The House is not even in session this week.
Plus, Yom Kippur begins Wednesday night at sundown. That means the government is closed for a minimum of several days.
The last time the government shut down was in 2018-2019. That 35-day shutdown was the longest in history.
The Trump administration will determine which agencies and services are essential. For instance, those in the military, national security and intelligence personnel remain on the job.
Lawmakers must be paid, under the 27th Amendment to the Constitution.
National Parks and museums usually close. However, the Postal Service continues to operate. Passport processing usually stops. Air traffic controllers continue to work. But they aren’t paid until there’s a resolution.
