The outcome for countless federal workers and their responsibilities hinges on Congress’s ability to secure government funding before Friday.

A bipartisan proposal from Congress, which has faced opposition from President-elect Donald Trump, aimed to fund the government until March. Lawmakers are now pressured to reach a new agreement to keep the government running before next week’s holiday break.

If Congress cannot prevent the daunting government shutdown, only employees judged as essential will continue to work, while non-essential staff will be ordered not to report for duty and will miss their paychecks. Even essential workers, like air traffic controllers and police officers, will experience pay delays but will receive back pay once a funding agreement is established.

Here’s what you need to know about which government workers will remain employed during a shutdown, based on the shutdown strategies presented in 2023 and detailed by Reuters.

What occurs during a government shutdown?

In the event of a government shutdown, hundreds of thousands of federal workers classified as nonessential will be furloughed. This means they will be temporarily dismissed from work and will not receive any pay.

Essential employees engaged in critical sectors such as defense, energy, and agriculture will remain on duty, although they will not receive pay during the shutdown. Nonetheless, a law from 2019 guarantees that all federal workers will receive back pay once funding is restored.

Nearly 2 million federal employees work across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as noted by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

What is a furlough?

A furlough is when government employees are temporarily sent home without pay, not as a disciplinary measure, according to OPM’s Guidance for Shutdown Furloughs.

During a government shutdown, workers are furloughed because there is no allocated budget for their positions. However, thanks to legislation enacted in January 2019, furloughed employees are assured of receiving back pay.

Law enforcement largely unaffected during shutdown

Personnel from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and other federal law enforcement agencies will continue to work, along with prison staff.

Most Border Patrol, immigration enforcement agents, and customs officers will also remain on duty, but local governments will not receive additional support for migrant housing.

The Secret Service and Coast Guard will also maintain near-full operations.

Transportation: TSA and air traffic controllers stay on the job

Holiday travel plans should remain uninterrupted.

Transportation Security Administration agents responsible for airport security, along with air traffic controllers, will be required to work.

However, past shutdowns have seen some airports struggle with absenteeism, which forced certain operations to be scaled back. Additionally, the TSA will not be able to recruit new airport security personnel during the busy holiday season.

US Postal Service will continue delivering mail

Mail delivery will persist regardless of the weather—or government shutdowns.

The U.S. Postal Service is not impacted by a shutdown as it does not rely on federal funding.

Impact of shutdown on the US military

Approximately 2 million U.S. military personnel will remain active. However, about half of the Pentagon’s 800,000 civilian employees may face furlough.

Essential functions, such as nuclear security, will still be managed by the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration, ensuring the upkeep of nuclear arms.

Will national parks close during a shutdown?

National parks, monuments, and other sites would technically close to the public. While visitors could potentially access these areas, rangers would not be present, and facilities like restrooms and information desks would be closed.

In previous shutdowns, some national parks completely shut down, while others stayed open with no staff to maintain services. This often led to cleanliness issues, including overflowing trash and restrooms.

However, firefighting operations would still proceed.

NASA to keep some functions running

NASA will continue monitoring satellites, managing the International Space Station, and assisting astronauts in space. However, this will be achieved with a drastically reduced workforce, as 17,000 out of 18,300 employees are marked for furlough.

Will Congress still be paid?

Members of Congress will continue to receive their salaries, even while some of their non-essential staff face furlough.

What Impact Would a Shutdown Have on the White House?

In the event of a government shutdown, a large number of White House employees would likely be put on furlough. Critical departments such as the National Security Council would remain operational, but other functions would be reduced.

According to the U.S. Constitution, the president will continue to receive a salary, regardless of the situation.

Are Federal Employees Eligible for Unemployment During a Shutdown?

Many federal employees and contractors can qualify for unemployment benefits during a shutdown.

Those who think they might be eligible should visit the Department of Unemployment Services website to submit a claim in the states where they are employed, rather than their place of residence.