How The Shutdown Is Affecting Federal Workers And Services

Summary of How The Shutdown Is Affecting Federal Workers And Services

by NPR

15m•October 7, 2025
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Summary — "How The Shutdown Is Affecting Federal Workers And Services" (NPR Politics Podcast)

Author/Host: Tamara Keith & Stephen Fowler
Guest: Andrea Hsu (NPR labor and workplace correspondent)
Recorded: One week into a government shutdown

Overview

This episode explains which parts of the federal government continue to operate during a shutdown, who is furloughed versus who is working without pay, how services are being affected, and the political and financial pressures at play. It also covers who might ultimately be paid retroactively and how the White House is using administrative levers to pressure lawmakers.

Key points & main takeaways

  • "Shutdown" is a misnomer — many federal functions continue, but staffing and pay status vary by agency and role.
  • CBO estimate: about 750,000 civilian federal employees could be furloughed (roughly one-third of the civilian federal workforce) based on agency contingency plans.
  • Examples of variation:
    • Department of Veterans Affairs: ~3% furloughed; core medical services remain open.
    • Commerce Department: ~80% of staff furloughed.
    • Social Security Administration: ~45,000 of ~50,000 employees working without pay to issue benefits.
    • Homeland Security and active duty military continue operations (military personnel are working but expect missed pay).
  • Payroll timing and impact:
    • Most federal employees will receive a paycheck next week covering pay through Sept 30.
    • The next regularly scheduled paycheck (covering work after Oct 3) will likely be missed — financial pain point for many.
    • Military personnel expect to miss a paycheck on Oct 15.
  • Service impacts already reported:
    • FAA staffing problems (example: Burbank tower unmanned for hours due to call-outs).
    • TSA staffing strains could degrade airport security/screening over time.
    • VA: hospitals and crisis hotlines open, but regional benefits offices and some services (career counseling, public affairs) closed.
  • No widespread, shutdown-related mass layoffs have been announced so far:
    • Layoffs require formal reduction-in-force procedures; Presidents or OMB alone can't instantly order mass firings.
    • The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office did announce layoffs, but that agency is fee-funded and not dependent on annual appropriations.
  • Political and administrative pressure tactics from the White House:
    • Freezing or pausing federal grants in targeted cities.
    • Public messaging threatening that furloughed employees might not automatically get back pay.
    • Draft OMB memo and a revised FAQ have created uncertainty about whether furloughed employees will be guaranteed retroactive pay (a 2019 law seems to provide for back pay; OMB language has been softened).
  • Public opinion (pre-shutdown poll): more people blamed Republicans than Democrats for the shutdown; this could shift as paychecks are missed.

Notable quotes / insights

  • Jenna Norton (NIH program director speaking for some federal workers):
    "Every awful thing that would happen in a shutdown ... shuttering programs that Americans rely on, damaging our economy, firing federal workers, all of this is already happening."
  • Analytical insight: Shutdowns don’t automatically grant new authorities to administration officials — there are legal/administrative constraints on hurried layoffs — but political pressure and litigation are likely to continue.

Topics discussed

  • Which agencies are furloughed vs. operating
  • Number estimates (CBO estimate of furloughs)
  • Pay schedule and when paychecks will be missed
  • Immediate operational effects: FAA, TSA, VA, Social Security
  • Layoffs vs. furloughs (legal process for reductions in force)
  • White House tactics (grant freezes, messaging about back pay)
  • OMB draft memo and changing FAQ about retroactive pay
  • Political dynamics and the off-ramp (negotiations, ACA subsidies as bargaining chip)
  • Federal employee responses, union/legal pushback, and public opinion

Action items / recommendations

For federal employees:

  • Monitor official agency communications and union updates about furlough status and pay.
  • Prepare for a missed paycheck: assess immediate cash needs and contact lenders or landlords if needed; explore emergency relief programs or union assistance funds.
  • Keep records of work performed during any unpaid periods (useful for payroll and legal questions later).

For the public / people who rely on federal services:

  • Check with specific agencies (airports, VA regional offices, Social Security) about local service availability and potential delays.
  • If you have travel plans, monitor airport advisories for staffing-related disruptions.

For listeners following the politics:

  • Watch OMB and agency FAQs for clarification on back pay and any rule changes.
  • Track congressional negotiations (ACA subsidy discussions) as potential off-ramps for reopening funding.

Legal/administrative notes:

  • Current law (2019 statute) appears to provide for retroactive pay for furloughed and unpaid workers once a shutdown ends, but OMB messaging has introduced uncertainty — this may result in litigation or require legislative clarification.

If you want, I can produce:

  • A one-page checklist for federal employees preparing for missed pay.
  • A short list of resources (agency phone lines, union contacts, emergency assistance programs) relevant to furloughed staff.