Shutdown FAQs
Federal Government Shutdown: Frequently Asked Questions
Please note: This FAQ page is based on information from prior shutdowns and information that is currently available from agencies. The Trump administration has not been fully transparent with its shutdown plans and President Trump has made threats to manipulate a shutdown for political gain, to change agency operations significantly, to fire some federal workers, and to prohibit or limit back pay for federal workers once the government is open.
The federal government shut down on October 1, 2025, because of a lapse in funding. I am working to maintain access to critical government services, reopen the government, protect health care, and reduce costs. I stand ready and willing to vote for a budget proposal that reopens the government and improves the lives of Oregonians, but will not support a partisan Republican budget that locks in cuts to health care and steeply increases the cost of health insurance costs for thousands of Oregonians and millions of Americans.
This is a difficult time for federal workers, their families, and communities across Northwest Oregon. My office has put together a list of information about the shutdown, and my staff will be available and working to provide Oregonians with the support they need to get through the shutdown. Please contact my Washington D.C. office at (202) 225-0855 or my Beaverton office at (503) 469-6010, if you have any questions or need support.
I invite you to share how the shutdown is affecting you and your family. Please contact the House Democrat Leader here and my office here.
Why does the government shut down?
The government shuts down when Congress is unable to pass "appropriations bills" that fund federal agencies and programs. These 12 bills are designed to fund the government until the conclusion of each fiscal year, which ends on September 30. If those bills do not pass, Congress may pass a temporary funding measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR). The federal government was operating under a CR from last year that expired on September 30, 2025. If Congress does not pass appropriations bills or a CR, the government faces a shutdown because of a lack of authorized funding.
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 providing limited services, including issuing Social Security cards and holding appointments for benefit applications. The SSA will stop some activities like benefit verifications and processing of overpayments, and recipients will likely experience increased wait times for customer service.
Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?
We expect that Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance will be largely unaffected by a shutdown lasting less than three months. Current beneficiaries should continue to receive their benefits.
Will veterans' services be affected?
All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics are expected to 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.
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 a shutdown. The employees classified as "not excepted" are put on unpaid furlough. Donald Trump has threatened to needlessly fire thousands of federal workers during a shutdown, adding to the large and unnecessary purge of government employees the administration has been doing for months.
I am a federal employee. Will I still be paid?
All non-essential ("not excepted") federal employees are placed on unpaid leave, also known as a furlough, during a government shutdown. Essential ("excepted") employees who perform emergency work involving the safety of human life, the protection of property, or other essential work must continue to report to their job. Each federal agency will determine which employees will be furloughed and which must continue to report to work. Furloughs are expected to affect the services that agencies provide to the public. Neither essential nor furloughed employees are authorized to receive their pay during a lapse in government funding. The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, 31 U.S.C. ยง 1341 (GEFTA) legally requires retroactive pay for furloughed and essential employees following the end of a lapse in government funding, but the Trump administration is now questioning that law. The exact timeframe for any retroactive payment will depend on the length of the lapse in government funding and start date of any continuing resolution or appropriations bill.
Additional Resources for Federal Employees:
- Find Your Union here
- Partnership For Public Service has compiled Government Shutdown Resources
What are the effects on U.S. military personnel and federal law enforcement?
All active-duty and Guard and Reservists on active-duty orders are excepted and required to work. On-base non-acute health care may cease, but off-base care provided through Tricare is not affected. On-base child care is open on a case-by-case basis. Federal law enforcement is also required to work. Both military personnel and federal law enforcement will not be paid until after the shutdown is over.
Will my mail still arrive?
Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown.
Will commercial air travel be affected?
Air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents will remain on the job. They will not be paid until the shutdown is over.
What about international travel?
All services at international embassies and consulates will continue during a shutdown. If you are abroad and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Will my passport renewal still be processed?
The State Department will continue to process passport applications and visa requests for as long as funding and the collection of fees allow. Delayed processing times are expected.
How will small businesses be affected?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) will stop processing new business loans, including through the 7(a) and 504 programs. The SBA's Disaster Loan Program will continue regular operations.
What are the effects on federal housing loans?
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will stop insuring some new mortgages and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will stop processing some new loans. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) will also stop new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA will continue to guarantee home loans.
Will my student loans continue to be disbursed?
The Department of Education will continue to disburse student aid such as Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student loans, and student loan borrowers will still be required to make payments on their outstanding student debt. Free Applications for Student Aid (FAFSA), Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans could continue for a "very limited time" during a shutdown. There are also additional considerations with the Trump administration cutting a significant percentage of the Department of Education workforce. Although we don't know exactly how this will affect specific programs that the Department of Education operates, we can expect delays.
What are the effects on disaster relief efforts?
FEMA staff will still respond to emergencies. In prior shutdowns, long-term projects were delayed because of a lack of funding in the Disaster Relief Fund.
What are the effects on food safety activities?
Some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety activities --- such as routine inspections of facilities --- will be delayed.
I rely on food programs like SNAP and WIC. Will I keep getting my payments?
WIC will run out of remaining funding quickly and may be unable to provide food for children and parents in need. Further, the Trump administration has taken unprecedented action to impede WIC disbursements during this shutdown, endangering the well-being of mothers and children. SNAP recipients should expect to receive their monthly allotment and retailers will continue to accept SNAP benefits. SNAP applications and the ability for employees at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to send out new benefits could be affected by a shutdown. If the shutdown lasts more than 30 days, SNAP benefits could be affected.
I have an issue with a federal agency. Can I still open a case?
Many agencies have furloughed workers, but please contact my Beaverton office at (503) 469-6010, or visit my constituent services page here and we will do our best to assist you.
I already have a case open with your office. Should I do anything during the shutdown?
My office is continuing to submit inquiries to federal agencies, including requesting updates on constituents' behalf and opening new cases.
I'm coming to Washington D.C.; will my tours still take place?
Unfortunately, tour guides and visitor centers of DC's government buildings are considered non-essential and have been closed. This means that all tours of the U.S. Capitol, White House, and FBI Building have been cancelled during the shutdown. The Supreme Court and Bureau of Engraving and Printing will be open for tours; however, these tours book up far in advance and may not be available for last-minute scheduling. If you have a tour scheduled through our office and want to check the status, please call us at (202) 225-0855.
Will I still be able to visit National Parks and monuments or the Smithsonian?
Open-air parks and monuments in Washington, D.C. will remain open. Services that require National Park Service staff including trash removal and operating campgrounds, concessions and visitors centers may be limited. Smithsonian museums, research centers, and the National Zoo will use prior-year funds to remain open to the public during the federal government shutdown through Saturday, October 11th. Updates will be posted as needed on the Smithsonian's website.
Have more questions? Please contact my Washington D.C. office at (202) 225-0855 or my Beaverton office at (503) 469-6010.