Shutdown Leaves 750,000 Federal Workers Unpaid

The federal government shut down early Wednesday after Congress failed to pass a short-term funding measure, leaving roughly 750,000 federal employees either furloughed or required to work without pay. Essential personnel — including TSA screeners, air-traffic controllers, corrections officers, VA and hospital staff, and parts of NASA operations — remain on duty but will not receive pay until the shutdown ends. Some agencies and programs with separate funding continue operating — including the U.S. Postal Service, the Bonneville Power Administration, and certain VA and Social Security payments — while customer-facing services such as IRS processing, passport centers, WIC and SNAP face disruptions if the lapse persists. Local impacts vary: specific disruptions have been reported at FCI Mendota and Kennedy Space Center, regional airports and national parks are experiencing uncertainty or limited services, and some federal programs may be curtailed over time. States and localities are stepping in — Maryland pledged support for some federally funded services and Colorado says some furloughed workers may be eligible for temporary unemployment benefits (to be repaid when back pay arrives) — while members of Congress continue to draw salaries amid intensifying partisan disputes over Medicaid and health-subsidy changes.