USA US shutdown likely to enter second month
The shutdown in the USA is heading into its second month. In the ongoing dispute between Republicans and Democrats in the US Congress, there is still no sign of an agreement on the federal budget.
31.10.2025, 17:33
SDA
Because the funding is therefore not in place and no federal spending can flow, government business is at a standstill in some areas.
Political observers believe it is likely that the record of 35 days could be broken. The second month of the shutdown begins this Saturday. The budget freeze is already having dramatic consequences for the US population, government staff and tourists from abroad.
Food aid at risk of being cut off
According to government figures, around 42 million Americans receive food stamps - they are threatened with the loss of food aid at the beginning of November. So far, there are no plans to tap into a corresponding emergency fund to ensure that their support is financed. Particularly affected are low-income families, single parents and the elderly, who are dependent on monthly benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Dozens of cities are suing the government over this.
In addition, US citizens have had to be patient for weeks: According to the media, applications to authorities are only being processed with delays. Air traffic delays and cancellations are increasing. Tourists wishing to enter the United States must also be prepared for longer waiting times - for example when applying for a visa or entering the country. Cultural activities are also affected: Numerous museums - including those of the Smithsonian Institution - are closed. National parks remain open, but not the visitor centers on site.
Hundreds of thousands of government employees have to take leave
Government staff are looking ahead to the coming months with concern: the bipartisan think tank Bipartisan Policy Center estimates that at least 670,000 government employees were forced to go on furlough at the end of October. About 730,000 other federal employees are working without pay. Many government employees are also fearing for their jobs. The Trump administration wanted to cut jobs permanently. Layoffs in the course of the shutdown have been prohibited by the courts, at least for the time being.
There are now some offers of help for government employees. The non-profit World Central Kitchen, for example, handed out meals to furloughed employees. Some restaurants and bars in Washington are offering special discounts on presentation of a government ID card.
According to media reports, airlines are helping out at some airports: They are handing out food to those people who currently have to continue working without pay. This is intended to support employees of the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), customs and border protection officers and staff of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), among others. According to reports, many federal employees had their first pay cut on Tuesday.
Weeks-long shutdown - with no end in sight
Experts believe it is quite likely that the current dispute over the federal budget could continue for weeks to come. According to the latest estimates, billions of dollars will be permanently lost to the US economy. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the damage at 7 to 14 billion dollars (6 to 12 billion euros) if the shutdown lasts four to eight weeks.
This is significantly more than the longest shutdown to date at the turn of the year 2018/19: according to the budget office, a total of three billion dollars in economic output was permanently lost at that time. By "permanent" loss, we mean that part of the lost economic activity that cannot be compensated for even after the end of a shutdown, for example through subsequent salary payments and project awards.
