The NPR Politics Podcast How The Shutdown Is Affecting Federal Workers And Services
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Oct 7, 2025 Federal workers face uncertainty as the government shutdown drags on. Vital services like air traffic control and TSA staffing are disrupted. Many employees learn about their job status at the last minute, raising concerns about missed paychecks. The White House hints at possible layoffs but no announcements have been made yet. Discussions include how public opinion is shaping blame and how negotiations in Congress could shift the stalemate. The impact on furloughed workers' retroactive pay adds another layer of complexity.
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Shutdown Doesn't Mean Total Stop
- A shutdown doesn't stop all government work; many agencies keep essential functions running.
- Agencies decide who is essential and who is furloughed using contingency plans.
Furloughs Affect A Significant Share
- About one third of civilian federal employees were estimated to be furloughed based on contingency plans.
- Many workers only learned at the last minute whether they'd be furloughed or asked to work without pay.
When Paychecks Start To Miss
- Most federal employees will get one paycheck covering pay through September 30th during the first week.
- They will miss paychecks for subsequent pay periods, and military members expect to miss pay on October 15th.