Government shutdown begins. What happens now?

The government shutdown is underway Wednesday after Congress deadlocked on a spending deal marking the first shutdown in nearly seven years. 

Republicans were in favor of a short-term measure to fund the government through Nov. 21, but Democrats blocked it, arguing that the measure should address their concerns about health care.

Democrats are also pushing to repeal the Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump’s massive bill passed this summer and extend tax credits that make health insurance premiums more affordable for millions of Americans who bought it through the marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act.

Here’s what you need to know as the government shutdown starts: 

What happens now with the government shutdown?

Why you should care:

With legislators unable to agree on a spending bill deal, federal law requires government agencies to furlough their "non-excepted" workers, the Associated Press reported. 

The AP reported that federal workers tasked with protecting life and property remain on the job but don’t get paid until after the government shutdown ends.

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According to the AP, the White House Office of Management and Budget starts the process with guidance for agencies that a setback in appropriations happened and they should initiate orderly shutdown activities. 

Citing estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, the AP noted that about 750,000 federal workers may be furloughed each day of the government shutdown, with the total daily cost of their pay at about $400 million.

Will furloughed federal workers get paid?

Dig deeper:

Furloughed employees will still receive pay during the shutdown based on a bill Congress passed into law in 2019 which requires furloughed workers to get retroactive pay once government operations continue. 

The Associated Press While they’ll eventually receive payments, the furloughed workers and others who stay on the job may have to go without one or more of their regular paychecks, depending on the duration of the government shutdown. Separately, service members would also receive back pay for any missed paychecks once federal funding continues. 

What are federal agencies planning during the shutdown?

Local perspective:

Health and Human Services plans to furlough about 41% of its staff out of almost  80,000 workers, the Associated Press reported, citing a plan posted on the HHS website.

Under that plan the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would continue to assess disease outbreaks, while activities that will stop include research into health risks and ways to prevent illness.

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Also, the research and patient care at the National Institutes of Health would change. Patients currently enrolled in studies at the research-only hospital nicknamed the House of Hope will continue to receive care.

Operations at the Food and Drug Administration would be impacted by the government shutdown, with many activities delayed or paused. One change involves the FDA not accepting new drug applications or medical device submissions that require payment of a user fee.

The AP reported that the National Park Service will furlough roughly two-thirds of its workers while keeping parks mainly open to visitors during the shutdown. According to an agency contingency plan, "park roads, lookouts, trails, and open-air memorials will remain accessible to visitors."

And at the Smithsonian Institution museums, research centers and the National Zoo will stay open through at least Oct. 6.