The government shutdown has ended, yet normalcy remains elusive
The government shutdown has concluded. However, numerous federal employees are returning after a 43-day hiatus to a situation that is far from normal, as reported by employees from various regions. Flight delays and cancellations are expected to persist as Air Traffic Controllers face staffing challenges. Employees who have not been compensated for several weeks will continue to face delays in receiving their overdue wages. Delays are anticipated in the disbursement of research grants. It appears that economic reports may be discontinued. Six weeks of emails and voicemails must be meticulously examined. In three months, they may face turbulence once more: The legislation enacted by President Donald Trump on Wednesday evening provides funding for the majority of the government only until January. “There’s no back to normal in this deal because all it does is kick the can until January 30,” stated Max Stier. “The situation resembles that of the federal workforce preparing to return home after a hurricane, only to face the prospect of another storm approaching.”
Federal workers indicated that the shutdown has served as an exclamation point atop months of turmoil, as the Trump administration has reduced jobs and, in certain instances, entire agencies since the president assumed office in January. The administration aimed to terminate additional federal employees as the shutdown commenced; however, the temporary funding agreement suspended those layoffs until the conclusion of January. “It’s going to be stressful for everybody,” stated Yolanda Jacobs. “It is challenging to comprehend the complexities involved in restoring functionality, particularly given that many systems were already operating suboptimally prior to the shutdown.” The American public may experience the prolonged repercussions of the shutdown at the nation’s airports for months or potentially years ahead. Meanwhile, individuals dependent on government assistance such as food stamps are keenly anticipating the timely disbursement of funds by the government. Federal employees have resumed their duties. On Thursday, there will be a need to evaluate strategies for managing over six weeks of accumulated backlogs. During the shutdown, federal employees classified as non-essential were furloughed.
Federal workforces, already facing shortages due to significant cuts from DOGE earlier this year, are now confronted with additional challenges stemming from the shutdown. This situation affects various sectors, including food safety, NASA, education, and national parks, complicating efforts to recover and maintain essential services. “This moment is going to look very different than in 2019 (after the last government shutdown) when these offices were fully staffed,” remarked an Education Department employee. A source informed that they were instructed to check their emails solely at designated times for “reduction in force” layoff notifications — and to ensure their computers did not lock after a 30-day period. The accumulation of emails was described as “heart wrenching,” particularly those containing urgent appeals from parents of disabled children who have lodged discrimination complaints with the department’s Office for Civil Rights. Another Education official estimated that, during the shutdown, over 2,000 complaints were filed with the office responsible for addressing allegations of discrimination against students with disabilities. According to a representative from the agency’s Human Foods Program, it will require several days to restore the Food and Drug Administration’s testing labs to full operational capacity for food testing and the prevention of food-borne illnesses. In addition to the necessity of addressing equipment maintenance and conducting quality checks, “it will take time to restart research along with broader policy planning,” the worker stated.
According to Gibson Jones the Internal Revenue Service is facing backlogs in tax filings from individuals who filed for extensions, which are expected to take “two to three months to catch up. You’re referring to over 40 days of mail that remained untouched. Individuals anticipating a refund will experience a postponement in the processing of those tax returns. A vehicle traverses a roadway where refuse is observed scattered at Joshua Tree National Park in California, on October 10, 2025. Trash receptacles are maintained in a sanitary condition in Yosemite Valley at Yosemite National Park, California, on October 25, 2025. A significant emphasis for the National Park Service will be evaluating the extent of any damage sustained by parks during the shutdown, according to Kristen Brengel. Numerous parks maintained law enforcement personnel throughout the shutdown; however, there have been accounts of graffiti and damage from off-road vehicles in locations such as Arches and Glen Canyon. Additionally, illegal activities, including base-jumping and drone flights, have been reported in Yosemite, according to Brengel. However, she noted a significant increase in volunteer support during the shutdown, with many parks utilizing fee revenue to cover custodial services such as garbage removal, or relying on volunteer groups to assist. “Fortunately, numerous parks remained unscathed,” Brengel stated. “However, this situation is not sustainable, and it is widely acknowledged.”
At NASA’s renowned Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, which houses the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes, employees expressed concern as over a dozen buildings on the campus were vacated and secured with padlocks, with minimal prior notice, as per reports. Several sources consulted that the abrupt actions may be indicative of a strategy by the Trump administration to discreetly undermine the Goddard campus amid the shutdown — a statement that a NASA spokesperson refuted. “There will be many individuals who remain unaware of the ongoing situation regarding the closure of this facility,” remarked a NASA engineer. “I anticipate that this will create a rather tumultuous scenario in addition to merely returning.” TSA agents pause for a moment near an American flag at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on November 10, 2025. The timeline for when the approximately 1.4 million federal employees who have been furloughed or are working without pay will receive their back pay is likely to differ by agency. A significant number of individuals have experienced the absence of two complete paychecks along with a partial one amid the shutdown. Historically, the payment process for workers was completed within a matter of business days, as noted by Jacqueline Simon. However, she expressed concern that this year’s process might be prolonged due to the furloughs and departures of numerous human resources personnel at agencies, a consequence of the administration’s downsizing initiatives. Stier of the Partnership for Public Service noted that the complexity is further compounded by the fact that federal workers do not receive their pay simultaneously, as the government employs various pay systems. “It’s a significant endeavor in addition to numerous other responsibilities that federal employees will need to manage,” he stated, although it is expected to require only a few days, rather than weeks. However, “until we get paid, everyone’s going to still have those same financial stressors on them,” stated Ben Emmel.
The shutdown resulted in significant disruption at US airports, with potential repercussions extending well past the government’s eventual reopening. The US air traffic control system currently faces a shortfall of over 3,000 controllers, which is necessary to adequately staff towers and other facilities responsible for guiding aircraft across the nation. The existing workforce of 14,000 controllers faced not only the persistent issue of staffing shortages but also an increased incidence of absenteeism during the shutdown, all while remaining uncompensated. Sean Duffy informed reporters this week that the shutdown placed young controllers in a “very difficult position,” resulting in some resignations, while older controllers opted for retirement. Duffy noted that the number of retirement-aged controllers departing has increased to fifteen to twenty per day, a significant rise from the typical four departures observed daily. In May, the Department of Transportation announced plans to replace the long-standing Federal Aviation Administration infrastructure with a new air traffic control system at a cost of $31.5 billion; however, the shutdown may adversely impact this initiative. During a press conference on Wednesday at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, Duffy indicated that the software and upgrades necessary for the new system “would take longer than the three-year period,” initially promised.
The shutdown significantly disrupted the nation’s safety net programs, particularly food stamps, which are essential for nearly 42 million Americans in providing sustenance for themselves and their families. The timing of when enrollees in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will receive their full benefits for November is contingent upon their geographic location. Over a dozen states began distributing full allotments to residents last week, prior to the Supreme Court’s suspension of a court order mandating complete funding for the program. In accordance with a prior judicial mandate, numerous states commenced the disbursement of partial benefits last week. Other states have yet to allocate any of this month’s assistance. Following the government’s reopening, numerous states may be able to distribute full SNAP benefits within a three-day timeframe, according to Lexie Kuznick, director of policy and government relations for the American Public Human Services Association, an organization representing state, county, and city agencies. Some, however, may require as much as a week to accomplish this task. The recently enacted spending agreement effectively mitigates the risk of a potential interruption in SNAP benefits in January, coinciding with the possibility of another government shutdown. The legislation allocated funding to multiple agencies, notably the US Department of Agriculture, responsible for administering SNAP, for the full fiscal year. Individuals queue in their vehicles for a complimentary food distribution aimed at SNAP recipients, facilitated by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in collaboration with The Jewish Federation at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, on November 9, 2025. During an event, volunteers efficiently loaded boxes of food into vehicles in Leonia, New Jersey, on November 6, 2025. During an event, volunteers efficiently loaded boxes of food into vehicles in Leonia, New Jersey, on November 6, 2025. Mike Segar/Reuters.
However, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, along with Head Start, may experience a prolonged timeline for resumption. The Department of Health and Human Services oversees their operations. According to Mark Wolfe the process for the HHS to determine states’ allocations and disburse funds for LIHEAP generally requires a minimum of 30 days. He expresses concern that the timeline may extend further this year due to the layoffs of LIHEAP staff by HHS in the spring. Federal grants for approximately 140 Head Start programs, which cater to over 65,000 children and families, may require up to two weeks for distribution following the shutdown, according to Tommy Sheridan. The cessation of funding compelled the closure of 20 programs across 17 states and Puerto Rico. Other programs have successfully sustained their operations due to local and philanthropic support. In response to inquiries regarding the timeline for disbursing funds to LIHEAP and Head Start programs, a spokesperson from HHS indicated that the agency intends to “work swiftly” in administering the annual awards for LIHEAP. Recipients of Head Start programs should anticipate receiving notifications that will outline a schedule for the disbursement of federal funds.
The government has suspended the release of economic data, which is critical for business leaders and the Federal Reserve in evaluating the condition of the US economy, during the shutdown. The monthly employment reports for September and October remain unreleased, as does the initial estimate of third-quarter gross domestic product, which encompasses the total goods and services generated within the economy. Upon the government’s reopening, statistical agencies including the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bureau of Economic Analysis are expected to publish revised timelines for forthcoming data releases. However, this marks the inaugural instance of two postponed employment reports. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated on Wednesday that it is probable the report for October will not be published, given that data for the month was not gathered. “All of that economic data released will be permanently impaired, leaving our policymakers at the Fed flying blind at a critical period,” Leavitt stated to reporters. A commuter traverses the thoroughfare adjacent to the Federal Aviation Administration headquarters on October 1, 2025.
Caitlin Lewis indicated that the shutdown has compelled numerous federal workers to leave their roles. She noted a 74% increase in federal workers registering for the platform during the initial five weeks of the shutdown, in contrast to the five weeks preceding the shutdown. Last week represented one of the platform’s most active periods in recent months. In total, over 12,000 federal employees have enrolled this year. Individuals are inclined to endure for as extended a period as possible. “But this is the latest in a deep cycle of instability that is pushing public servants out of the government since the inauguration,” Lewis said. Upon the conclusion of the last government shutdown in 2019, a USDA employee discovered an influx of emails from state agencies seeking clarification on various policy matters. This experience fostered a deeper understanding of her role and underscored the significance of her contributions. However, the strain of this year’s unprecedented stalemate has compelled her to begin exploring alternative employment opportunities. “This has been the worst six weeks that I can remember,” remarked the staffer, who had envisioned a career within the government. “I find myself unable to endure this experience once more, both in terms of mental strain and financial burden.”
