The federal government is facing a potential shutdown on October 1, which could disrupt numerous services and have significant political consequences
Social Security checks will still be issued during a government shutdown, but many federal services and paychecks for millions of employees will be affected
Shutdowns occur when Congress fails to pass funding legislation, leading to the cessation of non-essential government operations and paychecks for federal workers
Federal funding expires at the start of the federal fiscal year on October 1, triggering a potential shutdown if no funding plan is approved by Congress and the president
The duration of a government shutdown is uncertain, but with a divided Congress, it could last for weeks, especially if Republicans push for spending cuts
Over 2 million military personnel and 2 million civilian workers across the nation could face delayed paychecks during a shutdown
Many federal workers are employed in departments like Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security and interact directly with taxpayers
A government shutdown could affect government services such as clinical trials, firearm permits, and passports, causing delays for applicants
Industries closely tied to the federal government, like federal contractors and tourist services near national parks, could experience disruptions
Financial markets may also be impacted by a government shutdown, with potential economic growth reductions and a loss of confidence in government functionality