If the government shuts down, many non-essential government services would be suspended, and hundreds of thousands of federal employees would be furloughed or sent home without pay. Essential services like public safety and national security would continue but without immediate pay. There would be delays in services such as passport and visa issuance, food assistance programs, and routine inspections for food safety and environmental protection. National parks and visitor centers would close, and government contractors would also face financial difficulties. The shutdown can cause significant economic losses, estimated in billions, and lead to long-term damage like a drop in government workforce morale and a brain drain as employees leave for private sector jobs. Additionally, government performance often deteriorates in the months following a shutdown due to the loss of skilled staff. The shutdown also raises uncertainty with potential permanent layoffs in certain programs if funding gaps persist.