Shutdown Resources

September 30, 2025
Press Release

Since January, our region has been under attack by the Trump administration. Agencies have been shuttered, federal employees have been subjected to RIFs, DOGE has unleashed chaos, and federal service has been demagogued. And now we are in a GOP Shutdown.

On my first day in office, I introduced the Limit on Sweeping Executive Reorganization Act, which prevents presidents from unilaterally dismantling federal agencies without congressional approval. I will be leading former Congressman Connolly’s Keep the Watchdogs Running Act to ensure Inspectors General continue investigating misconduct, waste, fraud, and abuse in executive branch agencies during a shutdown, preventing the administration from using the shutdown as cover for further abuses and destructive actions.

I have also co-sponsored several bills to protect and support federal employees and contractors during a shutdown:

  • Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act – Adds “government shutdown” to the list of hardships that allow federal employees to withdraw from TSP and other retirement accounts without penalties.
  • Shutdown Guidance for Financial Institutions Act – Requires financial regulators to issue guidance within 180 days instructing banks and credit unions on how to support federal employees and contractors during a shutdown.
  • Emergency Relief for Federal Contractors Act – Allows contractors to withdraw up to $30,000 from retirement accounts without the 10% early withdrawal penalty during a shutdown and permits repayment within three years.
  • The Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act – Guarantees back pay and restores leave benefits for contract workers furloughed or laid off due to a shutdown.
  • Help Federal Employees During Shutdowns Act – Ensures federal employees who are required to work during a government shutdown are eligible to apply for unemployment insurance.
  • Securing Assistance for Federal Employees Act – Blocks the Trump Administration from carrying out mass federal layoffs during a government shutdown. 

This is a tough time for our community, and I am committed to negotiating a bipartisan compromise that reopens the government and meets the needs of our community. During the shutdown, I have asked that my pay be withheld.  My Office has put together the following resources on the Trump Shutdown and will be working around the clock to ensure that all my constituents have the information and support you need to get through this shutdown. 

You can also read my OpEd in MSNBC on Trump’s Shutdown  here.

If you would like to share your story, please contact us here. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Why does the government shut down?  
The government shuts down when Congress is unable to pass appropriations bills that fund the operations of federal agencies and programs. These 12 appropriations bills are designed to fund the government until the conclusion of each fiscal year, which ends on September 30. In the absence of routine appropriations bills, Congress may pass temporary measures, known as a continuing resolution (CR). Currently, the federal government is operating under a CR that expires on September 30, 2025. In the absence of approved appropriations bills or a CR, the government faces a shutdown due to a lack of authorized funding. 

Will I continue to receive my Social Security? 
A shutdown will not impact Social Security benefit payments, but be aware that benefit verifications have ceased, meaning new recipients may see delays in processing their claims. 

Will Medicare or Medicaid be interrupted? 
Medicare and Medicaid will continue for the foreseeable future, but you may experience difficulty reaching these agencies, as some employees are furloughed. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will be unable to issue Medicare replacement cards, and could slow new enrollment processing.  

Is USPS still delivering mail? 
All services under the Postal Service will continue unimpacted throughout a government shutdown. 

Will my student loans continue to be disbursed? 
Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans can continue to be obligated and make disbursement during a shutdown, but only as long as carryover and mandatory appropriations last. Free Applications for Student Aid (FAFSA), Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans could continue for a “very limited time” under a shutdown. If the shutdown continues for an extended period of time, school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages due to lapsed federal funding. There are also additional considerations with the Administration cutting the Department of Education workforce. While we don’t yet know exactly how this will impact specific programs that the Department of Education operates, we can expect delays.   

I am a federal employee. Will I still be paid? 
Under a government shutdown, all non-essential federal employees are placed on unpaid leave, also known as a furlough. However, essential employees who perform emergency work involving the safety of human life, the protection of property, or other exempted work must continue to report to their job. Each federal agency will determine which employees will be furloughed and which must continue to report to work. Furloughs are expected to impact the services that agencies provide to the public. Neither essential nor furloughed employees are authorized to receive compensation during a lapse in government funding. The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, 31 U.S.C. § 1341 (GEFTA) statutorily requires retro-active pay for furloughed and essential employees following the end of a lapse in government funding. The exact timeframe for retro-active payment will depend on the length of the lapse in government funding and start date of the enacted continuing resolution or appropriations bill. For more details, please visit the Office of Personnel Management’s website at the link here. 

Do military personnel continue working? 
Yes, the Department of Defense will continue defending our nation and all military personnel will continue in their duties as usual, but servicemembers will not receive pay during a government shutdown. 

Can veterans still get treatment at the VA or access other services? 
All functions within the Veterans Health Administration will continue, and veterans will continue to receive compensation and pension claims. 

Should I cancel my upcoming travel plans? 
You can and should continue to enjoy your travel plans! TSA officers and air traffic controllers are considered essential and are reporting to work throughout the shutdown. However, both TSA and Air Traffic Control are currently working without pay, so please be patient with any delays. 

I’m coming to DC, will my tours still take place? 
Unfortunately, tour guides and visitor centers of DC’s government buildings are considered non-essential and have been closed. This means that all tours of the U.S. Capitol, White House, and FBI Building have been canceled during the shutdown. The Supreme Court and Bureau of Engraving and Printing will be open for tours; however, these tours book up far in advance and may not be available for last-minute scheduling. If you have a tour scheduled through our office and want to check the status, please call us at 202-225-1492. 

What about international travel? 
All services at international embassies and consulates will continue during a lapse of appropriations. If you are abroad and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. 

Will my passport renewal still be processed? 
The State Department will continue to process passport applications and visa requests as long as funding and the collection of fees allow. However, delayed processing times are expected.  

I have an issue with a federal agency. Can I still open a case?
Due to the lapse in funding, many agencies have furloughed workers. Please contact our office at 703-256-3071 or visit our Constituent Services page to fill out a Privacy Release Form and we can assist you with this matter.

I already have a case open with your office. Should I do anything during the shutdown? 
My office is continuing to submit inquiries to federal agencies, including requesting updates on constituents’ behalf and opening new cases.

I rely on food programs like SNAP and WIC. Will I keep getting my payments? 
Funding for WIC will run out of remaining funding quickly and may be unable to provide food for children and parents in need. SNAP recipients should expect to receive their monthly allotment and retailers will continue to accept SNAP benefits. SNAP applications and the ability for employees at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to send out new benefits could be affected by a shutdown. If the shutdown lasts more than 30 days, there could be bigger impacts on the program. 

Additional Resources:

Find Your Union: https://www.opm.gov/labor-management-relations/labor-management-relations/

OPM Shutdown Guidance: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/reference-materials/guidance-for-shutdown-furloughs-sep-28-2025/?

OPM Shutdown Page: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/furlough-guidance/#url=Shutdown-Furlough

Have more questions?  Please contact our office at 703-256-3071.