Many services and agencies could be affected by a partial shutdown, despite previous funding bills being passed.
WASHINGTON โ The word “partial” has been mentioned a lot ahead of a possible government shutdown that may start Friday night, but clarity on just how partial the shutdown would be has been hard to come by.
A fight over future Department of Homeland Security funding has ramped up after federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti and Renรฉe Good in Minneapolis.ย
Senate Democrats have threatened to block legislation that would fund DHS and several other agencies, potentially bringing the government a step closer to a partial shutdown if Republicans and the White House do not agree to new restrictions on Trumpโs surge of immigration enforcement.
If a funding agreement isn’t reached before 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Friday, a shutdown would begin, but only for half of the government’s agencies. Lawmakers previously approved six of the 12 spending bills needed for the current budget year, including multiple agencies like the Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Will the shutdown’s effect on public services also be partial? Here’s how programs and payments may be affected by the shutdown.
Will SNAP and other food assistance programs be affected again during a government shutdown?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP, was massively affected by the previous shutdown in late 2025, the longest in the nation’s history. The Trump administration restricted program funding during the shutdown, triggering numerous conflicting court rulings and shifting state and federal policies.
The confusion that shutdown caused in SNAP led lawmakers to ensure full year-long funding for the agency in charge of the program, the Department of Agriculture. The agency has been funded through Sept. 30, 2026, meaning the possible partial shutdown would not impact SNAP.
Will mail still be delivered if the government shuts down?
The United States Postal Service isn’t impacted by government shutdowns, as the service’s funding isn’t determined by Congress, according to the American Postal Workers Union.
“As an independent agency that is almost entirely self-funded, postal operations will continue as usual with no disruption in pay for employees,” the union’s website said. “Unfortunately, many of our union family across federal agencies will face furloughs or be required to work without pay.”
Will flights still run during a government shutdown?
Airports will remain open, and flights will continue during a partial government shutdown, but airports’ most essential workers will have to work without pay again.
Air traffic controllers could be impacted again as the Department of Transportation’s budget is one of the funding measures Congress has yet to approve.ย
Workers with the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, would also be forced to work without pay in the event of a partial shutdown. Their positions are funded by the Department of Homeland Security, the budget of which is being debated and may cause the shutdown.
Will national parks stay open during a partial government shutdown?
Each of the nation’s national parks will remain open since the Department of the Interior was fully funded through Sept. 30.
What federal agencies are at risk of being shut down?
The six remaining budget appropriations bills that have yet to be passed by Congress provide funding for the vast majority of federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Federal workers in each of these departments will either be considered “essential” and work without pay or be furloughed for as long as the shutdown lasts.
