America on Hold: Shutdown Chaos Deepens as Flights Stall and Workers Lose Pay
The U.S. government shutdown has now entered its 13th day, rippling through every corner of the country.
Flights are delayed, museums shuttered, and tens of thousands of federal employees have lost income as Congress remains gridlocked over healthcare funding.
Flights Grounded and Workers Laid Off
Across the country, travelers are feeling the shutdown in real time. From Phoenix Sky Harbor to Chicago O’Hare and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, passengers have faced mounting flight delays and cancellations as overworked air-traffic controllers and TSA officers continue to report for duty without pay.
Officials at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned that the staffing situation is deteriorating quickly.
Many controllers are calling in sick or taking unpaid leave to work second jobs, creating dangerous gaps in coverage that ripple through the national air-traffic network.
A spokesperson said the agency is “operating at minimum safety thresholds” and that the situation could escalate if funding isn’t restored soon.
The result is a slow-motion crisis for air travel. Airlines have already begun consolidating flight schedules to avoid cascading delays, while passenger frustration mounts on social media.
According to data from FlightAware, average delays at major U.S. hubs were up 27% over the weekend compared with the same period last year.
Behind the scenes, union leaders for air-traffic controllers and TSA employees are warning of burnout and safety risks.
“Controllers are professionals, they’ll show up as long as they can, but fatigue is becoming a real concern,” said a representative from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, urging Congress to “end the shutdown before safety is compromised.”
The shutdown’s impact isn’t limited to airports. At least 4,000 federal employees have already been laid off, not merely furloughed - a harsher step than in prior shutdowns.
These layoffs hit civilian support staff across departments such as Transportation, Interior, and Commerce, leaving many workers without even the promise of back pay.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) confirmed that agencies are moving from short-term furloughs to outright terminations as reserve funds dry up.
In a statement released Friday, OPM officials warned that “additional separations may be necessary if Congress fails to enact appropriations,” signaling that thousands more could soon lose their positions altogether.
Economists say these layoffs could have a ripple effect on local economies, particularly in regions with high concentrations of federal employees such as Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Each week the shutdown continues, more small businesses that rely on federal contracts from janitorial firms to food suppliers face their own round of layoffs.
Museums Closed, Congress Divided, and Trump Abroad as Shutdown Deepens
As the 2025 government shutdown drags into its second week, Washington has ground to a standstill culturally, politically, and administratively.
The Smithsonian Institution has closed all 21 museums and the National Zoo after exhausting temporary reserves, with even the beloved Panda Cam going dark on Oct. 12.
Officials assured the public that animals remain under professional care, but visitor access is suspended indefinitely.
Tourism analysts estimate the closures are costing the capital millions of dollars in lost revenue each week, a blow to hotels, restaurants, and local businesses already suffering from reduced federal spending.
On Capitol Hill, the Senate prepares for its eighth vote to reopen the government through Nov. 21, following seven failed attempts to reach the 60-vote threshold required to move the measure forward.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) appealed for bipartisan cooperation, saying:
“It’s just a straight-up bill to keep our government open so we can continue the appropriations process and get back to work for the American people.”
But Democrats, led by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), remain united against what they call a “band-aid budget,” demanding restoration of Medicaid funding and protection for Affordable Care Act subsidies before approving any temporary deal.
In the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) placed full responsibility on the GOP.
“If the government shuts down, it’s because Republicans have made the decision to shut the government down.”
He later reiterated his charge that:
“Donald Trump and Republicans definitively wanted to shut the government down.”
Jeffries continues to urge a “clean funding bill” that would immediately restore pay for federal workers and maintain healthcare subsidies for low-income families.
While Congress battles over policy, President Donald Trump spent Monday overseas promoting a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Addressing the Knesset in Jerusalem, Trump said:
“The state of Israel is strong and it will live and thrive forever.”
After visiting Cairo, Trump was scheduled to return to Washington late Monday night, where gridlock still reigns.
Meanwhile, the question most Americans are asking is: what government programs are still operating?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, both SNAP and WIC food assistance will continue “as long as current funds remain available.”
The Social Security Administration confirmed that monthly retirement and disability checks will keep going out, although roughly 12 percent of its staff have been furloughed.
Medicare and Medicaid benefits also remain active, though outreach and new-application services are paused until funding is restored.
Legal and Political Fallout: Shutdown Tests the Limits of Law, Leadership, and Public Patience
As the government shutdown enters its third week, the crisis is moving beyond politics and into the courts, revealing deep tensions between constitutional pay protections and workers’ rights.
Under the Antideficiency Act, federal agencies are legally barred from spending funds not appropriated by Congress - a measure meant to enforce fiscal accountability but one that also compels agencies to halt “non-essential” operations during funding gaps.
Violating the Act can carry criminal penalties, forcing thousands of civil servants off the job even as the country feels the strain.
Yet the U.S. Constitution creates what legal scholars call a “structural contradiction.”
While Article I, Section 6 and Article II, Section 1 guarantee that members of Congress and the President continue to be paid, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are required to work without immediate compensation.
Labor attorneys say this imbalance could again lead to lawsuits under the Back Pay Act and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
The legal community’s response mirrors a broader trend toward civic responsibility within the profession - a theme explored in How Pro Bono Work Became Legal Currency.
During the 2018–2019 shutdown, similar suits succeeded. In Martin v. United States (2014), the U.S. Court of Federal Claims ruled that forcing “essential” employees to work without timely pay violated the FLSA, awarding damages to those affected.
With thousands now facing the same conditions, experts predict a new wave of shutdown-related litigation once federal operations resume.
Amid mounting legal and public pressure, Democratic lawmakers from Maryland and Virginia, including Sens. Chris Van Hollen, Angela Alsobrooks, and Mark Warner plan to rally outside the White House Office of Management and Budget on Oct. 14.
Their goal: to denounce the growing number of federal layoffs and call for immediate restoration of pay and benefits.
In a joint statement, they urged the administration to “stop playing politics with people’s livelihoods” and return federal agencies to full operation.
Across the nation, the shutdown’s economic toll is deepening.
Federal employees are missing paychecks, tourists are canceling plans, and businesses that rely on government contracts are beginning to cut staff.
Economists estimate the standoff could cost the U.S. more than $1.2 billion per week in lost productivity, tourism, and consumer spending.
People Also Ask
How long can a U.S. government shutdown last?
There’s no legal time limit on a government shutdown. The longest in U.S. history lasted 35 days between 2018 and 2019, costing the economy more than $11 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The current 2025 shutdown could extend even longer if Congress fails to agree on a funding bill.
Will federal employees get back pay after the shutdown?
Most federal employees are guaranteed back pay under the Back Pay Act, once Congress passes appropriations. However, federal contractors and temporary workers often do not qualify — a recurring legal issue that has led to wage lawsuits in past shutdowns.
What government services stay open during a shutdown?
Essential functions such as air-traffic control, border protection, Social Security payments, and veterans’ hospitals remain operational. However, most national parks, Smithsonian museums, and research agencies close until funding resumes.
Does the President still get paid during a government shutdown?
Yes. Under Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, a president’s salary cannot be reduced while in office. President Donald Trump continues to receive his $400,000 annual salary, though he has stated he donates it to federal agencies.
Do Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid payments stop during a shutdown?
No. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits continue to be paid, as they are funded through permanent federal programs. However, some customer service operations and administrative staff are temporarily furloughed, slowing response times.
