What a U.S. Government Shutdown Means for Washington, DC Travelers
How Much Time Until the Government Shutdown? What is a government shutdown? Washington, DC is home to federal agencies, national museums, and iconic landmarks—so when a government shutdown is possible, travelers often wonder what will stay open and what may close. If you’re planning a trip to Washington, DC during a potential shutdown, here’s what you need to know about museums, monuments, national parks, airports, and federal services. Current short-term funding for most federal agencies expires January 31, 2026, requiring Congress to pass full-year spending bills or another temporary extension to avoid a government shutdown. As the United States Congress approaches its deadline to pass a U.S. funding bill, uncertainty surrounds the potential for a government shutdown. Stay informed with this live countdown, which tracks the days, hours, minutes, and seconds remaining until the anticipated shutdown date. The official shutdown time for the U.S. federal government occurs at...