What to Know About a Republican Government Shutdown

The federal government is currently shut down because President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans refused to negotiate with Democrats to reverse health care cuts, lower health care costs, and save health care.

Our office

• My staff and I remain available. My offices in Rhode Island and Washington, D.C. are open and ready to assist you.

• Constituents of Rhode Island’s First Congressional District who need help can submit a request here or call our Rhode Island office at (401) 729-5600.

  • Please note that the Republican shutdown may impact our ability to help constituents quickly resolve issues with federal agencies, as many will not be open and operating.

• If you have a comment or would like to share how this Republican shutdown is impacting you, please send us a message here.

Government Shutdown FAQ

What does this mean for Rhode Islanders?

Thanks to Trump and Congressional Republicans, a wide range of essential government services will be disrupted. Here’s what you need to know: 

Will I continue to receive my Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks?

Recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and Supplemental Security Income checks.

However, customer service wait times are expected to increase dramatically, and the Social Security Administration will stop services like benefit verifications, replacement of Medicare cards, and overpayments processing. For inquiries about your application, please contact our Rhode Island office at (401) 729-5600.

Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?

Current Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits, assuming a Republican shutdown lasts less than three months.

However, nearly half of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services staff will be furloughed, and certain services will be paused, leading to longer wait times. 

What happens to Veterans services?

All Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits will continue to be processed, and VA medical facilities and clinics will remain OPEN. However, VA call centers, hotlines, and regional offices will be temporarily closed.

Veterans will be affected by the Republican shutdown of other services they count on, including transition program assistance and career counseling.

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", also known as “essential personnel”, or "not excepted" on a case-by-case basis. The employees classified as "excepted" work without pay during the shutdown. The employees classified as "not excepted" are put on unpaid furlough.

No federal employees will be paid during the shutdown, regardless of their classification. In 2019, Congress enacted legislation to ensure that all federal workers receive their full retroactive pay once the government reopens after a shutdown. 

NOTE: federal contractors are not guaranteed retroactive pay after a shutdown. Some federal agencies may temporarily close, potentially affecting state and local agencies receiving federal funds.

What is the impact on U.S. military personnel and federal law enforcement?

All active-duty military personnel, including National Guard members and Reservists on active-duty orders, are required to work without pay for the duration of a Republican shutdown. Many Department of Defense civilian employees will be furloughed.

Service members' health care will also be affected. On-base elective surgery and other routine dental and medical services will cease. However, off-base care covered by TRICARE will not be affected. Child care centers on military bases will remain open on a case-by-case basis. 

Federal law enforcement officers are also required to work without pay.

Will military and federal retiree benefits be suspended?

Military and federal retirees will continue to receive their retirement benefits. New application processing or other requested changes will be delayed due to a lack of personnel to process paperwork.

Will my mail still arrive?

Yes, post offices will remain open and mail delivery will continue. The Republican shutdown does not impact the United States Postal Service.

Will air travel be affected?

Air travel will continue, but may be impacted. Travelers may experience longer wait times at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, or delays and cancellations due to staffing issues. Air traffic controllers, TSA officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents will remain on the job without pay. If some airport employees do not report to work, as occurred during previous shutdowns, there will be significant delays and longer wait times across the country.

 

TSA will still accept online applications for TSA PreCheck, but the Department of Homeland Security has suspended Global Entry applications. 

What is the impact on food assistance?

The Department of Agriculture has not published updated guidance. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will continue operating during a Republican shutdown. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will continue dispersing benefits. However, funding for these programs may run out during a prolonged Republican shutdown, forcing program operations and benefits to stop. 

What does this mean for disaster relief efforts?

The majority of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff will be required to work and respond to emergencies without pay. However, long-term and non-life saving projects will be delayed due to a lack of funding. 

How will this affect environmental protection and cleanup?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will stop inspecting most hazardous waste sites, drinking water, and chemical facilities. Efforts to address dangerous contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which is linked to severe health effects, including cancer, will be delayed, and cleanup activities at Superfund sites will slow or cease.

What is the impact on food safety activities?

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) activities preventing imminent threats to human safety will continue, including responding to public health emergencies, addressing drug shortages, and responding to foodborne illness and infectious disease. A majority of FDA food safety activities, such as routine facility inspections, will be delayed across the country and research and innovation activities will be paused.

What is the impact on housing?

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has not posted updated guidance.

The Department of Veterans Affairs will continue to guarantee home loans, and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will continue to offer single-family loans. But, FHA, HUD, and the Department of Agriculture may stop processing and insuring other new mortgages. 

Funding for federal housing assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, may be jeopardized in a prolonged Republican shutdown.

How will this affect small businesses?

The Small Business Administration (SBA) will stop processing applications for new business loans through the 7(a) and 504 programs. However, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program will continue operations with reduced staff. Borrowers are still required to make payments on SBA loans during a Republican shutdown. 

How does this affect passports and help for Americans overseas?

Consular, passport, and visa services are expected to continue. 

During a prolonged Republican shutdown, however, it may take longer to get a passport or visa. 

Since many federal buildings are expected to be closed, in-person appointments at passport agencies located in some government buildings may be limited.

How does this impact my immigration application?

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) remains open and continues to process applications. You should expect to attend interviews and appointments as scheduled.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at (202) 225-4911 or (401) 729-5600 with any questions or concerns.

What is the impact on state and local services?

The Republican shutdown will not immediately affect any state or local services. 

However, without federal funding, some state or local governments may have to change their operations. Check with state and local agencies for specific questions. 

Can I still apply for grants from the federal government?

You are always encouraged to submit grant applications ahead of the deadline. Grants.gov is operational. However, there may be limited staff available to provide assistance. The Grants.gov Contact Center phone number is 1-(800)-518-GRANTS, and email Support@Grants.gov.  

What does this mean for medical research?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) hospital will remain open for current patients, and research activities will continue if pausing them would disrupt current clinical trials. 

The Republican shutdown will delay new clinical trials and prevent the NIH from processing grant applications. Patients waiting for a chance to join a new clinical trial will be turned away and could face life-threatening treatment delays. 

Will I still be able to visit National Parks and monuments?

The Department of the Interior has not published updated shutdown guidance. 

Across the country, services that require National Park Service staff — including trash removal and operating campgrounds and concessions — may be stopped. Closures will likely be determined on a location-by-location basis; open-air parks and monuments in Washington, D.C. will likely remain accessible. 

We recommend you verify the status of an attraction by visiting their website or contacting them directly before visiting.

How does this impact my trip to Washington, D.C.?

Many popular attractions will be affected. The Capitol Visitor Center will be closed, and there will be no staff-led public tours of the U.S. Capitol Building. The Library of Congress, U.S. Botanic Garden, White House, National Archives, Supreme Court, Treasury, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will be closed to tours. 

The Smithsonian museums and National Zoo are allowed to continue operating on reserve funds, but will close to the public during a prolonged Republican shutdown when that funding is gone. The Smithsonian museums and National Zoo have not announced how long they will be able to remain open.

If you booked tours through my office and wish to reschedule, please contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-4911. We encourage you to contact the attraction you want to visit for more information before your trip.

 

DISCLAIMER: The following information is accurate as of October 1, 2025 and we will do our best to update this page. Please contact our office for assistance, or reach out directly to the federal agency from whom you need assistance to get the most up to date information on federal operations