A government shutdown could furlough thousands of federal employees in Kentucky and across the country if Congress fails to approve a short-term bill to keep the government running.
Republicans control both chambers of Congress, but a temporary measure keeping the government open would require at least 60 votes in the 100-seat Senate, meaning some Democratic votes are needed.
President Donald Trump called congressional leaders from both political parties to the White House on Monday, Sept. 29 in attempts to find a resolution before the start of the 2026 fiscal year. Here’s what to know.
Is the federal government going to shut down? When will the government shut down?
Parts of the government could close on Wednesday, Oct. 1, which is the first day of the U.S. government’s 2026 fiscal year.
How many federal employees are there in Kentucky?
The federal government employs roughly 2.3 million people across the country. There are 23,449 federal civilian employees in Kentucky — not including military personnel or federal contractors, according to the Congressional Research Service.
A report the agency published Sept. 12 cites numbers provided by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management whose latest figures are dated from September 2024.
When was the last government shutdown?
The federal government has shuttered 21 times since 1977, most recently from December 2018 to January 2019.
How long do government shutdowns last?
It varies. Of all the shutdowns, the longest took place the last time Donald Trump was president, which lasted more than a month and cost the economy about $3 billion. The average number of days among all shutdowns since 1977 is eight.
Do federal employees get paid during a government shutdown?
No. During a shutdown, hundreds of thousands of federal workers, those deemed nonessential, are furloughed, or sent home without pay.
Employees who are classified as essential for critical operations in defense, energy, agriculture, and other sectors would continue to work, but without pay. They are reimbursed later.
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Will the post office be impacted by a government shutdown?
The U.S. Postal Service would be unaffected during the shutdown because it does not depend on Congress for funding.
IndyStar reporters Brittany Carloni and John Tufts contributed. USA TODAY Network Managing Editor and Trending journalist Terry Moseley contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Possible government shutdown to impact thousands of Kentucky employees