During a government shutdown, federal agencies must discontinue all non-essential discretionary functions until new funding legislation is passed and signed into law. Essential services continue to function, as do mandatory spending programs. Each federal agency develops its own shutdown plan, following guidance released in previous shutdowns and coordinated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The plan identifies which government activities may not continue until appropriations are restored, requiring furloughs and the halting of many agency activities. Essential services – many of which are related to public safety – continue to operate, with payments covering any obligations incurred only when appropriations are enacted. Here are some of the services that stop during a government shutdown:

• National Parks: Services such as restrooms, visitors centers, campgrounds, information kiosks, trash removal, and interpretative programs are all closed during the shutdown.

• FDA Food Safety Inspections: During a shutdown, the FDA is unable to support the majority of its food safety activities. Critical FDA food safety inspections of domestic and international food facilities are sharply curtailed.

• VA Call Centers and Hotlines: During a government shutdown, all VA medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational. However, VA call centers and hotlines cease to function, and Veterans Benefits Administration public contact services are not available.

• IRS Customer Service Hotline: If the shutdown continues, the limited IRS staff will be unable to keep up with the questions coming in from taxpayers using the IRS customer service hotline.

• National Park Service Employees: The vast majority of National Park Service employees are furloughed.

• Non-essential Federal Employees: Federal employees classified as "non-essential" are put on unpaid furlough.

• FEMA Natural Disaster Clean-up Efforts: It is unclear how the shutdown will affect FEMA natural disaster clean-up efforts.

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Consumer-protection Activities: The FCC would suspend consumer-protection activities, equipment reviews, and licensing of TV and radio starting Oct. 1.

• Securities and Exchange Commission Activities: The Securities and Exchange Commission would furlough roughly 90% of its 4,600 employees and suspend most activities, leaving only a skeleton staff to respond to emergencies.

• National Nuclear Security Administration: The Department of Energys National Nuclear Security Administration would continue maintaining nuclear weapons.

• Hazardous Waste Sites and Drinking Water and Chemical Facilities Inspections: Most inspections of hazardous waste sites and drinking water and chemical facilities would stop.

• **Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food-safety Insp...