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The U.S. government may shut down on October 1, risking travel delays and national park closures in addition to potential mass firings (not just furloughs) of federal workers in programs not consistent with the current administration's goals.
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Avoid Air Travel in October if Possible
If at all possible, avoid air travel in October given the high potential for travel delays and cancellations at many airports should the government partially shut down. While air traffic controllers and TSA staff are required to work during a partial government shutdown, they aren't paid.
During the 2019 35-day shutdown, this led to higher than normal absences by both air traffic controllers and TSA employees, which extended security wait times at some airports and delayed flights. On January 24, 2019, the absence of ten air traffic controllers (six in Northern Virginia and four in Florida) caused travel to shut down entirely at New York's LaGuardia airport, and caused delays at other major airports in Atlanta, Newark, and Philadelphia.
The U.S. is already in dire need of more air traffic controllers, and a shut down, in addition to not paying current air traffic controllers and TSA workers, halts ATC hiring and training.
For those on the East Coast traveling to cities served by Amtrak/Acela trains, train travel is likely to be a better option, since Amtrak, as an independent company, plans to continue operating as normally.
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Most National Parks Expected to Close
Expect most national parks to be closed to visitors, if the shutdown occurs on October 1. Parks and national monuments that are accessible to the public and not closed off will likely have closed visitor centers and restrooms. The shutdown compounds problems for the National Park Service, which has already lost nearly a quarter of its permanent employees in 2025.
The Smithsonian Museums haven't yet announced whether they will remain open, but in the past they have said they would stay open for a few days into the shutdown, relying on reserve funding, before shutting down.
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U.S. Consulates and Passport Processing
Expect sharply reduced U.S. consular services at U.S. Embassies around the world, in the event of a shutdown, with only “life and death emergencies” attended to. U.S. passport processing, however, will continue since this is covered by passport fees.
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