Government shutdown: What will be open and what will be closed

As Congress struggles to find a path to avert the government shutdown with funding set to expire on Sept. 30, the suspension of many government operations and businesses is likely to take effect as well.

The government will shut down at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time Sunday if Congress fails to pass legislation to renew funding by the deadline, and with hard-line Republicans pushing for deep spending cuts, the possibility of a shutdown is high.

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Apart from the federal government being unable to pay millions of its employees, others are concerned about what will remain open or closed in the event of a government shutdown.

What will close? 

A shutdown would unleash many disruptions across the city, including the workplaces for hundreds and thousands of employees in the federal government. Federal courts will be able to remain open for at least two weeks, until at least Oct. 13. However, the U.S. Supreme Court should be unaffected.

Operations that receive federal funds, like all Smithsonian Museums, National Zoo, and the National Gallery of Art, may close down if they have no funds. During the last government shutdown from Dec. 22, 2018, to Jan. 25, 2019, the longest in history, museums were able to remain open for several days.

The National Arboretum and the Library of Congress buildings are scheduled to be closed. Some National parks could close, but the agency has yet to make an official decision. During the most recent shutdown, operations were affected by overflowing trash cans and unkempt conditions.

White House tours will come to a halt, and the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center will be closed off to the public.

What will remain open?

The United States Postal Service (USPS) will not be interrupted by a government shutdown despite multiple other agencies temporarily halting their operations. The postal service does not depend on Congress for funding, as they are self-funded from the revenue of their products and sales.

Airports will stay open, but there could be travel delays nationwide depending on how long the shutdown carries on. Wait times may be longer due to fewer security checkpoints and a lack of staffing, as seen in the last government shutdown. Paychecks for much of the Transportation Security Administration were paused, which could create a shortage of qualified workers.

Day-to-day operations in Washington D.C. will still be functional, such as the Department of Public Works and the Department of Motor Vehicles, because they are operated and funded locally, not the federal government.

The Metro, including buses, will also be open, including other public transportation options. Metro ridership is on the rise again after feeling the effects of teleworkers over the pandemic, but many of the riders are federal employees, according to Metro General Manager Randy Clarke, meaning the system could see a lull again.

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A number of D.C. attractions, museums, and historic sites won’t close down, including the National Building Museum, the Museum of the Marine Corps, the International Spy Museum, the Museum of Illusions, President Lincoln’s Cottage, and others.

Public libraries and D.C. government-operated public parks are set to remain open.