Here’s what a government shutdown would mean for Michigan families

Paychecks for federal employees, child care programs, and holiday travel could face disruptions as Congress stalls on a deal to fund the federal government and President-elect Donald Trump keeps stirring the pot in Washington DC.

MICHIGAN—Imagine heading into the holiday season and discovering that your childcare plans for next year will be in jeopardy or that your paycheck could be indefinitely delayed.

That’s not a hypothetical. It’s a risk that thousands of Michiganders are bracing for in real time this week as Congress teeters on the edge of a federal government shutdown that threatens to grind many vital federal programs and services to an abrupt halt.

Here’s the deal:

This week, Congress unveiled a stopgap spending bill (known as a continuing resolution) that sought to keep the federal government funded through March 14—which would prevent a partial government shutdown that would otherwise begin at midnight on Friday, Dec. 20.

Passage of the measure was one of the final actions that lawmakers were set to consider this week before adjourning for the holidays and making way for the next Congress and President-elect Donald Trump’s administration to keep sorting out federal spending in 2025. 

But Trump abruptly rejected the bipartisan plan on Wednesday—instead telling US House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans to essentially renegotiate the deal, just days before the Friday deadline. Now, lawmakers are scrambling to figure out how to meet Trump’s sudden demands while federal offices are being told to prepare to shutter operations.

With partisan gridlock at an all-time high, billionaire Elon Musk fanning the flames, and vital programs at risk of being shut down, Michiganders have been left in a precarious position.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s at stake and how it could affect your life:

Federal Employees and Services

Michigan’s 29,000 federal civilian employees would face an uncertain future in the event of a government shutdown—including many who would be furloughed or forced to work without pay.

For those deemed essential, the job will continue. But the paychecks won’t come until the shutdown ends. This includes Michigan workers in key federal jobs involving border protection, prison operations, public health, airline travel, and active-duty military personnel. 

Other, non-essential services could grind to a halt, leaving Michiganders waiting longer for things like passports and federal permits.

Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits would continue to be funded without interruption—though it’s possible that new applications wouldn’t be processed. During a government shutdown in 1996, thousands of Medicare applicants were turned away daily.

It’s worth noting: VA medical facilities and clinics would also remain operational. The United States Postal Service would also continue service during a government shutdown.

Education and Child Care

Michigan’s children and students would not be spared from the impacts of an extended government shutdown. 

Head Start programs serving low-income families could shut down, leaving parents without child care and children without access to early education. For many working families, this could mean choosing between staying home to care for their kids or losing income.

The impact could also ripple through Michigan’s public schools and universities if it continues into the new year. Federal funding delays may disrupt school meal programs and financial aid disbursements for college students—creating additional uncertainty for students and families.

Air Travel

Flying out of Michigan this holiday season? Expect delays. 

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and air traffic controllers are classified as essential employees—meaning they’ll have to work without pay during a shutdown. Staffing shortages, combined with the low morale of unpaid workers, could result in longer wait times.

It’s worth noting: Federal parks would likely be closed during a government shutdown. 

Small Businesses

Small businesses in Michigan could also feel the squeeze.

The federal Small Business Administration (SBA) would stop processing new loans during a government shutdown, cutting off a critical source of funding for entrepreneurs. This could halt expansion plans, delay startups, and create uncertainty for businesses heading into 2025.

It’s worth noting: Federal housing loans would also be temporarily halted during a shutdown.

Food Assistance Programs

A federal shutdown would also be especially hard on Michigan families who rely on food assistance programs. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports more than 1 million Michiganders, could run out of contingency funds in just a few weeks. And without these benefits, many families could struggle to provide basic nutrition for their children.

Michiganders could also end up facing delays in benefits distribution, leaving vulnerable households, already living paycheck to paycheck, scrambling to put food on the table. 

What’s next? 

The odds of a government shutdown have reportedly increased with the latest developments in Washington DC this week—but experts don’t expect it would last for too long either way. 

A spending measure could still be passed this week, which would avert a potential shutdown.

READ MORE: Sick of hidden fees on concert tickets? A new federal rule could ban them. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Editor’s Note: This story was corrected to reflect a more accurate timeline for a potential government shutdown—including how long it would take for federal funding to dry up for the Supplemental Nutrition Program and Head Start.

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