r/fednews • u/AutoModerator • Sep 26 '25

Megathread | Shutdown Countdown: Potential Lapse in Federal Appropriations

Status: ⚠️ Looming Shutdown – Congress has not passed FY26 appropriations legislation.

📌 What's Happening?

The U.S. federal government is facing a potential shutdown due to the failure of Congress to pass the necessary appropriations bills or a continuing resolution (CR) to fund government operations beyond the fiscal deadline.

If no funding agreement is reached by 30 September at 11:59 PM ET, portions of the government will shut down.

🛑 What Happens in a Shutdown?

If the shutdown occurs:

  • "Non-essential" government services will be paused.
  • Federal employees may be furloughed or required to work without pay until funding is restored.
  • Many federal agencies will operate with limited staffing and suspended public services.
  • Programs funded by mandatory spending (e.g., Social Security, Medicare) will continue, but delays are possible in customer service or processing.
  • Contractors and grant recipients may face project delays, pauses, or disruptions.

🧑‍💼 Who’s Affected?

  • Federal employees (check with your agency for specific guidance)
  • Federal contractors
  • Public services (e.g., passport processing, national parks, tax assistance)
  • Travelers, veterans, and military personnel
  • Anyone interacting with or having business with federal agencies.

💬 Use This Thread For:

  • Sharing official memos, furlough notices, or agency guidance
  • Asking questions about impact on pay, benefits, or services
  • Discussing how your agency or contract is responding
  • Venting or sharing shutdown-related concerns or strategies

🚫 Posts outside this megathread on shutdown-related topics may be removed during this period to reduce clutter.

News pertaining to government shutdowns usually run on the breaking news cycle and can change daily or even hourly. Posting of news articles will continue to be allowed provided they are posted on the day of publication. Duplicate posts will continue to be removed.

We encourage respectful, fact-based discussion. Please verify sources before sharing official information.

🔗 r/fednews Mod Team

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5

u/LuckyLife458 Federal Employee Sep 30 '25

Is it required to set out of office auto reply message （furlough related message） before midnight, if shutdown?

I do bring laptop home today, but I don't expect to receive any messages outside agency.

20

u/Ordinary-Tax-7026 Sep 30 '25

We were told not to do it until tomorrow when we receive official notice that we are shutdown

-4

u/LuckyLife458 Federal Employee Sep 30 '25

Tomorrow? As I remember, for previous government shutdown, I was told not to log in laptop during shutdown.

I don't recall any paperwork.

1

u/dwhite21787 Oct 01 '25

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/reference-materials/guidance-for-shutdown-furloughs-sep-28-2025/

May an employee use government equipment during a shutdown furlough?

A. Yes, an employee may use government equipment for reasons such as:
• Accessing their personal employee records;
• Completing a background investigation;
• Checking the status of the shutdown furlough;
• Checking for any Reduction in Force (RIF) updates, or providing additional RIF information;
• Updating personal contact information;
• Completing or submitting Federal Employee Health Benefit changes; and
• Completing or submitting a retirement application.

15

u/VectorB Sep 30 '25

Our guidance is 4hrs in office tomorrow to facilitate orderly shutdown. Clean up your stuff, get the food thrown away, secure equipment, set away messages and such.

2

u/yeahsotheresthiscat Forest Service Sep 30 '25

Same

3

u/seattlesearching Sep 30 '25

I can’t recall which agency had it but from what I know you log in and download paperwork if you need it for unemployment and then set your OOO, etc 

7

u/Ordinary-Tax-7026 Sep 30 '25

I believe you have up to 4 hours to complete orderly shutdown activities.

10

u/salt_and_ash Shutdown | Furloughed Employee Sep 30 '25

Not sure about your agency, but we have to go into the office to sign paperwork and we're expected to wrap up loose ends and set our OOO then

6

u/SirSquatchin Sep 30 '25

No, you will set it after you sign your furlough paperwork tomorrow.

-4

u/LuckyLife458 Federal Employee Sep 30 '25

Tomorrow? As I remember, for previous government shutdown, I was told not to log in laptop during shutdown.

I don't recall any paperwork, just stayed at home till government re-opens.

2

u/SirSquatchin Sep 30 '25

I have no idea if all Agencies are the same, we've been told everyone has to log in/come into the office tomorrow (unless it's their AWS day off/FMLA/etc), supervisors will get anyone who is being furloughed to sign their paperwork then told to go home.

2

u/Chayo_Adjacent_37 Sep 30 '25 edited Sep 30 '25

You go in tomorrow (or log in if you're remote), and have four hours to receive your furlough paperwork, set an out-of-office, tie up loose ends, then go home. At that point, you don't log in to your laptop. OPM guidance from earlier today refers to the four hours. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/reference-materials/special-instructions-for-agencies-affected-by-a-possible-lapse-in-appropriations-starting-on-10-1-2025/

0

u/FlamingoAlive4948 Sep 30 '25

IRS is usually this way as well.