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2h ago

U.S. Shutdown Begins With Flights Continuing and Parks Scaling Back Services

Essential travel functions continue, with unpaid work raising risks of delays if the lapse drags on.

FILE - The U.S. Department of Education building is seen in Washington, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, file)
The Capitol is seen at dusk as Democrats and Republicans in Congress are angrily blaming each other and refusing to budge from their positions on funding the government, in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for financial aid for the time period July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2020, is photographed in Frederick, Md., on Oct. 28, 2019.
FILE - This March 27, 2008, file photo, shows the Pentagon in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

Overview

  • Funding lapsed at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass a spending bill, triggering a partial shutdown.
  • TSA officers and air traffic controllers are classified as essential and remain on duty without pay, though prolonged lapses have historically led to longer security lines and flight delays.
  • The FAA has paused hiring and training for new air traffic controllers under its contingency plan, threatening progress on easing staffing shortages.
  • National Park Service guidance says roads, trails and open-air memorials will generally stay accessible with limited services and most staff furloughed, and some sites without accessible areas may close.
  • Amtrak reports normal operations, the State Department says consular, passport and visa services continue, and travel groups warn of roughly $1 billion in weekly losses if the shutdown persists.