What's the government shutdown status right now?

The status is shown at the top of this site as a live yes/no indicator, with the latest check time and affected agencies. It is updated continuously using official government and congressional data sources.

Is the federal government shut down today?

Use the homepage status indicator for the current answer. The tracker is designed to provide a clear real-time status signal and timestamp so you can verify whether a shutdown is active right now.

How long has the current shutdown lasted?

When a shutdown is active, the homepage counter shows the exact running duration (days, hours, minutes, and seconds) from the active shutdown start time.

Which agencies are currently affected by the shutdown?

The homepage and updates section list the agencies currently affected in the active funding lapse so you can quickly see operational impact.

What is a government shutdown?

A government shutdown occurs when funding legislation required to finance the federal government is not enacted before the next fiscal year begins. During a shutdown, the federal government curtails agency activities and services, ceases non-essential operations, furloughs non-essential workers, and retains only essential employees in departments that protect human life or property.

What happens during a government shutdown?

During a shutdown, non-essential federal employees are furloughed (sent home without pay), national parks and museums close, passport and visa processing is delayed, and many government services are disrupted. Essential services like national security, air traffic control, law enforcement, and medical care in federal hospitals continue operating.

Who gets paid during a government shutdown?

Essential employees (military, law enforcement, air traffic controllers, doctors and nurses in federal hospitals) continue working but may not receive paychecks until the shutdown ends. Members of Congress continue to be paid because their pay cannot be altered except by direct law. Non-essential federal workers are furloughed and typically receive back pay once the shutdown ends.

What services stay open during a shutdown?

Services that remain operational include active duty military, federal law enforcement, air traffic control, National Weather Service operations, emergency medical services in federal hospitals, mail delivery (USPS is self-funded), and Social Security payments. The Patent Office can operate on reserves for a limited period.

What services are shut down?

Closed or disrupted services can include national parks and federally managed museums, passport and visa processing, IRS tax refund processing, EPA inspections, NASA non-essential operations, and work at many regulatory agencies.

How long do government shutdowns last?

Shutdowns vary in length. The longest was 35 days (December 2018 to January 2019), followed by 21 days (1995 to 1996) and 16 days (2013). Many shutdowns last only 1 to 5 days.

How much do shutdowns cost?

Shutdowns are expensive. The 2018 to 2019 shutdown cost approximately $5 billion in back pay and lost revenue. The 2013 shutdown cost about $2.1 billion and reduced GDP growth by 0.6 percent. Costs include back pay, lost tax revenue, reduced economic activity, and disrupted services.

Why do government shutdowns happen?

Shutdowns occur when Congress and the President cannot agree on spending bills before the fiscal year deadline. They typically result from political disagreements over budget priorities, policy riders attached to funding bills, or disputes over specific programs.

Can shutdowns be prevented?

Yes. Congress can pass a continuing resolution to temporarily extend funding while negotiations continue. Automatic continuing appropriation policies have been proposed to reduce shutdown risk, but no permanent federal mechanism is currently in place.

Do other countries have government shutdowns?

Shutdowns like those in the United States are uncommon in most other democracies. Many parliamentary systems use mechanisms that keep government funded while budget negotiations continue.

Are National Parks Open During a Government Shutdown?

Updated October 31, 2026 · By Shutdown Tracker

Short answer

It depends on the shutdown plan. In recent shutdowns many parks stayed physically accessible with no staff, restrooms or visitor centers, while parks and sites that require staff, such as many museums and historic buildings, closed.

Is the government shut down right now? Check the live status.

What usually happens

The National Park Service files a contingency plan before each shutdown. In 2013, parks closed outright. In 2018-2019 and 2025, many parks stayed open to visitors but with no rangers, trash pickup, restrooms or visitor centers, which led to damage and closures at some sites.

Some states and partner organizations pay to keep popular sites open. New York has funded Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island operations during past shutdowns, and Arizona has funded parts of Grand Canyon operations.

Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo

The Smithsonian can stay open for a short time using prior-year funds, then closes its museums and the National Zoo if the shutdown continues.

Before you travel

Check the specific park's page on nps.gov and its social media accounts.
Assume no services: bring water, food and a way to carry out trash.
Campground and tour reservations may be canceled; check your Recreation.gov confirmation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still visit a national park during a shutdown?

Often yes for open-air parks, but without services. Staffed sites such as museums and historic buildings usually close.

Are Smithsonian museums open during a shutdown?

Usually for the first several days using prior funds, then they close until funding is restored.