The federal government shut down on October 1, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., following the rejection of H.R. 5371 in the U.S. Senate. Federal agencies have begun implementing contingency plans, due to a lapse in appropriations. While essential services such as Social Security and Medicare continue, many departments are reducing operations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior (DOI), which provide critical support to rural areas, are among those affected.
USDA and Forest Service Adjust Operations
The USDA will maintain emergency services such as wildland fire response and rental assistance payments, but most Rural Development programs are paused. This includes new loan processing, grant programs, and technical assistance. The Forest Service will continue emergency wildfire response and law enforcement, but wildfire prevention efforts—such as hazardous fuels treatments and prescribed burns—are on “hold”.
Interior Agencies Scale Back Public Services
The Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service are continuing law enforcement and emergency response functions. However, many public-facing services, including visitor centers, recreational permits, and conservation programs, are temporarily suspended. Public access to lands may be limited where staff oversight is required for safety.
Disaster Recovery and Agricultural Support Impacted
Agricultural disaster assistance programs, including those supporting recovery from wildfires and floods, are largely on hold. While some emergency watershed protection efforts will continue, other services such as disaster payment processing and conservation support are delayed. These changes may affect rural residents relying on federal aid for land rehabilitation and farm income.
RCRC federal advocacy partner, ACG Advocacy, has prepared a memo, which provides greater detail about the impact of the federal government shutdown on rural communities. Read the memo here.
For additional information, contact RCRC Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Mary-Ann Warmerdam.