Government Shutdown Resources

The federal government has entered a shutdown beginning 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, as a result of the Democrats in the Senate led by Sen. Chuck Schumer refusing to support the continuing resolution (CR) passed by the House to continue funding the federal government.

As your Representative for Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District, I want to ensure that you have the information you need.

Office Availability

In the event of a shutdown, while many federal agencies will be closed or understaffed, our offices will be open to take your calls and provide as much assistance with casework as possible under the circumstances.

Washington, D.C.: 202.225.4921

Birmingham: 205.968.1290

Millbrook: 334.694.5140

Email my office here.

Help with a Federal Agency

During a federal government shutdown, many federal departments and agencies furlough workers, so their help desks may have little or no staffing. Our staff will continue submitting inquiries and updating you on your cases as much as possible, but response time might be delayed due to various factors. Request help with a federal agency here.

Travel to Washington, D.C.

All tours of the U.S. Capitol, White House, and FBI Building will be canceled during a shutdown.
National Park closures will be determined on a location-by-location basis; open-air parks and monuments in Washington, D.C. will likely remain accessible. Many services and facilities would be affected – including visitor centers, educational programs, restrooms, trash collection, and road maintenance. There would also be limited emergency/rescue services and safety updates would not be published. Please keep this in mind when planning any visits to national parks.
The Smithsonian Museums and National Zoo will operate as normal until at least October 6. If there continues to be a lapse of government funding after this time, they will reevaluate and announce further guidance.

Government Programs, Agencies, and Benefits

Social Security benefit payments will not be impacted during a shutdown.
U.S. Postal Services should continue as normal during a shutdown.
The Federal Housing Administration will stop approving applications for housing loans during a government shutdown.
FEMA should still respond to emergencies, but long-term projects will be delayed.
There will be no impact on Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities, and almost all VHA employees will remain on the job. However, some employees performing research will be furloughed.
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) should operate as normal.
The National Cemetery Administration’s (NCA) burial, scheduling of burials, first notice of death, and headstone processing functions should continue. Oversight and direct administration of the NCA program offices (Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, Engagement and Memorial Innovations, Cemetery Development and Improvement Service, Finance, Legislative and Regulatory Service, etc.) will cease.
The Department of Homeland Security estimates that Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement should retain most of their employees during a shutdown.
Visa and passport operations are fee-funded and not normally impacted by a shutdown. Immigration court cases on the detained docket should still proceed while non-detained docket cases will be reset for a later date when government funding resumes.
The IRS will be open as usual until October 7. If the government is still shutdown after this date, they will announce further guidance.
Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans should continue to be obligated and disbursed during a federal shutdown. If the shutdown is prolonged, this may change.
FAFSA, Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans,and servicing of federal student loans should continue for a “very limited time” under a shutdown. If a federal government shutdown continues for an extended amount of time, school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages.
Medicare and Medicaid will continue during a federal government shutdown, but some communications from the agencies may be stalled or outdated.
TSA officers and air traffic controllers are considered essential and will report to work throughout a shutdown.
All services at international embassies and consulates will continue during a shutdown.
The Bureau of Consular Affairs/Passport Services is designated as an essential service provider and is funded through passport fees, so all Passport Services, including agencies and the National Passport Information Center, will remain open during a federal government shutdown.
The Department of War will continue defending our nation and all military personnel will continue their duty during a shutdown.

Resources for Federal Employees

As agencies shut down, federal employees will either be furloughed, or in some cases required to work without pay. Under federal law, employees are entitled to back pay upon the government reopening.

For agency-specific details, visit your department’s .gov site (e.g., www.dhs.gov, www.va.gov) and check their HR or shutdown resource pages. 