The Aftermath of the U.S. Government Shutdown: What to Expect

Fri Nov 14 2025 03:37:16 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As the dust settles after the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, federal workers and citizens are preparing for a challenging recovery.

The recent 43-day government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, has left a lasting impact on various sectors. Federal workers are returning to their jobs, but many are still grappling with financial difficulties. Programs affecting millions, like the SNAP and Head Start, are catching up on missed benefits and services. Airlines face ongoing flight disruptions due to staffing shortages, while national parks and federal museums are gradually reopening, albeit with lingering issues such as vandalism and budget constraints. The road to recovery is convoluted as the federal government and citizens navigate the aftermath of this historic shutdown.

NEW YORK (AP) — The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is over — on paper, at least. But the American public isn’t done with it yet: Getting everything back up and running doesn’t happen all at once.

The disruption of the closure, clocking in at 43 days, varied in its impact. Some people, like unpaid federal workers, were immediately and directly affected. Others included recipients of federal funding through programs like Head Start and food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

As the shutdown progressed, effects rippled. Delays and flight cancellations started racking up for passengers as the Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to cut back on flights due to air traffic controller shortages. There were closures at Smithsonian museum sites and the National Zoo, although the animals continued to receive care.

WHAT HAPPENED: About 1.25 million federal workers haven’t been paid since Oct. 1, missing about $16 billion in wages, according to official estimates. The workers were either furloughed or worked without pay in agencies across the federal government. Many struggled to make ends meet during that time, and the regional economy around Washington, D.C., took a hit.

WHAT NOW: The Office of Personnel Management stated that federal workers were expected to return to their offices, emphasizing that “employees are expected to begin the workday on time.” The wage owed to the workers will be issued by Nov. 19 in separate payments depending on the agency, according to a senior administration official.

Federal social programs affected

In addition to federal worker impacts, programs like SNAP and Head Start faced significant disruptions. The SNAP program supports around 42 million Americans, with many states experiencing delays in distributing vital benefits. The Office of Head Start is prioritizing funding disbursement, but staff shortages raised concerns about service delivery.

National parks and museums reopening

National parks remained accessible with limited services during the shutdown, managed by state governments and outside organizations. The Smithsonian museums plan a rolling reopening, yet challenges remain in the form of necessary repairs and funding recovery.

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Associated Press journalists contributed to this report from around the country.