The United States lurched into a dreaded government shutdown Tuesday for the first time in 17 years, after Congress failed to end a bitter budget row after hours of dizzying brinkmanship.
Under the shutdown, the US government stopped providing all but 'essential' services. However, medical services at federal facilities, the postal service, armed forces, air traffic management, and the penal system will continue to operate.
FEDERAL WORKERS
More than 800,000 non-essential federal workers have been placed on unpaid leave. Many offices are closed, and government services are frozen or cut back in many areas, with payments to contractors also delayed.
MILITARY
The military's 1.4 million active duty personnel will still be paid during the shutdown, but possibly 400,000 civilian defence workers will stay at home, slowing down contracts with private suppliers.
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Less than 18,000 of the department's 114,486 employees will be furloughed, which means they will be on unpaid leave. Criminal litigation will continue under the shutdown, while civil litigation will be curtailed or postponed as much as possible. Federal prisons will remain open, but prison guards' pay may be delayed.
COURTS
Federal courts will operate normally for about 10 business days after the start of the shutdown, but if the shutdown continues, the judiciary may have to begin furloughs of employees whose work is not considered essential.
NASA
NASA will be shut down almost entirely. Only workers who support the International Space Station will keep working. The US Geological Survey will also be shut, while the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Centre will stay open.
HEALTH
New patients will not be accepted into clinical research at the National Institute of Health, but current patients will continue to receive care.
NATIONAL PARKS
All national parks will be closed, and visitors already inside them will be given 48 hours to leave.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
The agency will shut down with only a core group of individuals available in case of a "significant emergency."
AIR TRAVEL
Federal air traffic controllers, airport screeners and federal inspectors will continue working.
VISA APPLICATIONS
The shutdown will not affect foreign nationals lining up for visas to visit the United States.
MAIL
Mail deliveries will continue as normal, because the US Postal Service does not rely on tax dollars.
FOOD SAFETY
The Food and Drug Administration will handle high-risk recalls and possibly suspend most routine inspections.
