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After briefly avoiding a government shutdown in September with a short-term funding bill, Congress is once again scrambling to pass a spending bill before Christmas.

The government will shut down if Congress fails to act before the short-term funding expires at 12:01 a.m. EST on Saturday, December 21.

When a government shutdown occurs, most federal agencies stop operating, and most government employees are furloughed; This excludes those working in agencies deemed to provide “essential services,” such as US Transportation Security Administration workers.

Most other federal workers involved in air travel are also considered essential.

Adding further fuel to the fire is the timing of a near government shutdown ahead of a holiday travel season that is expected to be the busiest on record.

According to TSA Administrator David Pekoske, the agency expects to screen 40 million passengers traveling through Christmas by January 2, 2025.

It is unlikely that the government shutdown will cause major travel disruptions. However, it’s possible that the government shutdown could lead to longer TSA wait times and an overall slowdown in passport processing times — which can be even more inconvenient during the holidays.

How will the government shutdown affect air travel?

The good news is that air travelers won’t be affected much, at least initially, because TSA and the Federal Aviation Administration are considered essential services. Therefore, airport security workers and air traffic controllers will still be required to work, although they will not receive paychecks until the shutdown ends.

However, the absence may present a significant challenge to these two agencies, and the FAA continues Struggling with labor shortages since the pandemic, Leads to flight cuts at major airports.

Almost a month after the government shutdown in 2019, the number of sick or tired air traffic controllers has increased. This caused a temporary shutdown at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and delays at airports such as Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). That eventually Helped end the shutdown: Long airport lines provide bad optics, and consumers pressure lawmakers to strike a deal.

Will wait times be longer during the TSA shutdown?

According to the TSA, nearly all of its 62,000 employees are considered essential and thus would continue to work in the event of a shutdown. Still, the agency warned that the shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports over the holidays.

“While our employees are ready to handle increased numbers of passengers and ensure safe travel, please be aware that extended shutdowns may mean longer wait times at airports. TSA employees need to remain on the job because they are essential considered.” Pekoske said on December 19 at X. “However, they won’t receive a paycheck (at which point they’ll get back pay) until the government reopens, which means absenteeism is possible, as are other employees, and workers are less likely to volunteer for overtime shifts.”

During the 2018-19 shutdown, many officials called in sick for the latter part, leading to long lines at some airports. At the height of the shutdown, 10% of TSA officers nationwide were sick.

To plan for any delays, it’s smart to arrive at the airport a little earlier than usual, especially during the holidays.

Will national parks remain open during a government shutdown?

During past government shutdowns, National parks remained open to visitors. However, as most of the workers were laid off, national parks were littered and toilets overflowed. Visitors also vandalized some properties.

Because the National Park Service relies on government funding, some NPS sites—including national parks and monuments—will be affected by staffing issues. Contingency report for possible lapse in appropriation Issued by NPS in March 2024.

“National Park Service sites will be closed during the period of appropriations hiatus. This means that most National Park sites will be completely closed to public access. Areas that are by their nature physically accessible to the public will face significantly fewer visitors. Services, ” reads the report. “Accordingly, the public will be encouraged not to visit national park sites during the period of the break in appropriations.”

NPS encourages visitors to refer recreation.gov, Individual parks and state tourism pages for real-time updates.

For example, Saguaro National Park in Tuscon says visitor services will be available through Sunday, Dec. 22, if funding lapses.

“We are reviewing the NPS contingency plan and working to determine specific impacts to Saguaro National Park,” a park spokeswoman said via email.

Utah’s national parks are currently open, the Utah Tourism Office said. According to the Utah Office of Tourism, the state’s governor, Spencer Cox, will keep Utah’s national parks open during the government shutdown.

“Regardless of the status of our national parks, Utah’s state parks will remain open, staffed and ready to welcome visitors,” a tourism office spokeswoman said via email.

If you plan to visit a national park affected by the shutdown, consider state parks or unofficial national parks, such as Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction.

What about museums like the Smithsonian?

Many museums in Washington, DC—such as the Smithsonian Institution, the National Zoo, and the National Gallery of Art—are federally funded. If they have set aside reserve funds they will remain open or provide limited access, According to the Washington, DC Tourism Board.

Similar to what happened during the shutdown that began on December 21, 2018; The Smithsonian remained open for an additional 11 days before running out of money and closing on January 1. It was then reopened at the end of the month with Govt.

Will Amtrak trains be affected by the government shutdown?

Amtrak trains are expected to run as normal during the shutdown.

Amtrak receives some funding from the federal government and the states where it operates. It is a federally chartered corporation that is indirectly governed by the government. However, it functions as a Private business for profit rather than public authority.

In essence, it is a for-profit corporation, but the federal government is the majority stockholder.

Trains will continue to operate as usual, and employees will continue to be paid, as in past shutdowns. However, the longer the shutdown lasts, the more likely it is that some of Amtrak’s subsidies could be delayed, which could eventually impact the economy.

Can I renew my passport during the shutdown?

According to the US State Department, Passport processing is required and will continue during the shutdown.

However, some Passport office may be closed if they are in buildings operated by a different shutter agency; If the department runs out of unused funds from previous years, operations may cease entirely.

State Department employees, however, may be working without a paycheck; Therefore, absence is always possible. A prolonged shutdown could lead to an overall slowdown in passport processing times. So, if your passport is due to expire in the next month, you may want to send your renewal as soon as possible.

The good news is that the post office will be open. Since the Postal Service does not rely on federal funding, applications can be mailed and completed in person.

Will the shutdown affect cruises?

For the most part, cruises will not be affected by the shutdown.

Previous shutdowns have had little significant impact, and services such as Customs and the US Coast Guard continue to operate despite the government shutdown.

Can you cross the border during a government shutdown?

Yes. Border crossings will remain open during the shutdown, as will ports and airports. The Border Patrol is considered essential with most federal law enforcement.

How will the government shutdown affect the travel industry?

While travel for Americans may not be heavily affected by the government shutdown, the shutdown will still have significant consequences for the travel industry.

The US economy could lose about $140 million per day during a government shutdown. According to the US Travel Association. This is partly due to long waiting times at airports and delayed modernization projects. Additionally, passport, visa and global entry processing may take longer. This may lead visitors to postpone or cancel travel plans.

The bottom line

The government has less than 12 hours until March 2025 to partially fund the government. Travelers can expect to see even more hiccups if the potential government shutdown turns into a long-term shutdown.

“A prolonged government shutdown threatens to disrupt holiday travel that Americans will not tolerate,” US Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman said in a statement. “It’s hard to see how anyone can win in Congress if they force TSA workers, air traffic controllers and other essential employees to work without pay during the busiest travel period of the year.”

In the short term, plan more time to go through security at US airports if you’re traveling this weekend and next week.

Don’t forget to build your patience.

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