Government Shutdown Looms as Congress Races Against the Clock

If the government shuts down next month, the consequences will extend beyond closed parks and idle panda cams. The impact will be felt across various sectors, including health services, food access, education, energy, infrastructure, taxes, finance, and housing. Furloughed workers will face financial losses, while states will have to dip into their own funds to make up for lost federal money. The Department of Health and Human Services expects to furlough 42% of its workforce, potentially affecting Medicaid and the implementation of Medicare drug pricing negotiations. The FDA's safety work and proactive inspections could be jeopardized, and programs like Head Start and free and reduced lunch programs at schools would pause. The energy and climate agenda, including the IRA and offshore drilling proposals, could be disrupted. FAA employees would be furloughed, impacting air traffic control training and aviation rulemaking. Wall Street regulators would see their work come to a standstill, and most HUD staff would be sent home. The duration of the shutdown will determine the extent of the damage.