Nashville, Tenn. (WKRN) — As a possible government shutdown looms, you might be asking yourself: what does that mean for me?

According to the Associated Press, congressional leaders met Monday in an effort to avoid the shutdown, which is due in part to Democrats' demands on healthcare. The deadline to avoid a shutdown is Wednesday. As of publication, it's uncertain how those late negotiations have gone; a few things will happen across Tennessee if the government shuts down. Here's what you can expect:

Your neighbors might be furloughed

The most recent report from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget stated that in Sept. 2024, there were 32,574 federally-employed civilians in Tennessee. It's unclear how much that number may have changed within the past year due in part to federal layoffs and reinstatements, but it's possible that some of the federal workers within the state could be affected by the shutdown — especially after the White House OMB sent a memo "to prepare for potential mass firings in the event of a shutdown," according to News 2's partner The Hill.

Even if not furloughed, your neighbors may have to report to work without pay.

Your experience at BNA could be a little different

In advance of the possible shutdown, the Nashville International Airport released a statement about how operations could shift. BNA officials noted that the Federal Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are all agencies that could be affected by a shutdown. However, the airport's shutdown plan stressed that "airports do not anticipate immediate impacts to day-to-day operations" because most federal workers have been deemed essential, or exempt.

BNA's shutdown protocol explains that means that "essential" workers for air traffic control and on-call accident investigations would have to report for duty without pay. Aviation rulemaking, hiring for air traffic control and law enforcement assistance support would be furloughed. Additionally, CBP officers and contractors who have to repair and maintain screening equipment would also have to report to BNA without pay. TSA screening and other border security measures would be considered "exempt" and continue despite the shutdown.

You may have to reschedule your visit to a national park

Last week, the Associated Press reported that a group of former national park superintendents has called on leaders to close the parks in the event of a shutdown, citing previous instances of vandalism and the destruction of wildlife habitat during previous shutdowns when parks stayed open. During the most recent 35-day government shutdown from 2018 to 2019, national parks remained open with what News 2's partner The Hill called a "bare-bones staff."

There are two designated national parks in Tennessee: the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Additionally, the National Park Service operates several historical sites across the Volunteer State, including the Natchez Trace, Stones River and Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.

Your WIC program benefits could be paused

Although the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program would initially continue, both those benefits and the Women, Infants, and Children program could be at risk if the shutdown is extended. WKRN's partner The Hill, citing RealClearPolitics, reported "that an unnamed senior Trump administration official said WIC could quickly run out of funding in October."

Other direct payments, like Medicare, Medicaid and veterans disability, would continue to be paid as usual — but there could be delays in customer service or administration, per The Hill.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/federal-goverrnment-shutdown-2025-possible-effects/