US Government Shutdown Explained: Who Gets Paid and Who Misses Out?

Furloughed workers are prohibited from working and receive no pay until the shutdown ends. Excepted workers , whose roles are essential to public safety or national security, must keep working without pay until funding resumes. Essential Services Continue—But With LimitsDespite the shutdown, certain services remain operational. The FAA has furloughed over 11,000 employees, while 13,000 air traffic controllers continue working without pay. As Representative Ami Bera explained: 'During a US government shutdown, federal employees from shutdown agencies are either furloughed (prohibited from work and unpaid) or required to work without pay if their roles are deemed essential to public safety.'