Government Shutdown Furloughs 11,000 FAA Workers

Congressional negotiations collapsed and the federal government shut down on Oct. 1 after Senate talks failed — Republicans backed a seven‑week continuing resolution while Democrats sought healthcare changes including restored ACA premium tax credits and reversals of Medicaid cuts. The shutdown could furlough roughly 750,000 federal employees; agencies have begun orderly shutdowns and the Department of Transportation has furloughed about 11,000 FAA staff while essential workers — including air traffic controllers, TSA officers, military, and other national‑security personnel — continue working without pay. Immediate effects have included museum and park closures (the JFK Library closed), paused CDC public‑health communications, stalled Superfund cleanup work, and threats to nutrition‑assistance programs such as WIC and SNAP. Local airports have warned of slower security lines and uncertain staffing as some employees may not show up without pay. Lawmakers and the president traded blame as both parties plan additional votes and uncertainty grows over how long the shutdown will last and who will bear its greatest burdens.