The Brief D.C. is bracing for what could be a prolonged federal shutdown after lawmakers missed the deadline to fund the government. Restaurants in the area are already feeling the impact of the shutdown, on top of a tough year for the industry. It's day one of the federal government shutdown, and D.C. restaurants are already feeling the effects. Restaurants went into this federal shutdown already on their back foot from the federal takeover and immigration crackdowns. RAMW survey data shows 71% of D.C. restaurants reported sales drops and nearly three-quarters saw a decline in diners compared to last year.