The IRS implements contingency plans during the government shutdown, suspending taxpayer services while maintaining tax processing and criminal investigations.

Flight delays are expected across the country for a third straight day on Wednesday as the Federal Aviation Administration braced for more airport staffing shortages amid the ongoing government shutdown.

Air traffic controller shortages caused over 2,000 flight delays Wednesday, with 53% of recent delays attributed to understaffing compared to the normal 5%, officials say.

The federal government shutdown has entered its second week, and already shortages of air traffic controllers have strained operations and disrupted flights at some U.S. airports.

Government shutdowns have become more frequent as political brinkmanship defines budget negotiations, with the latest federal shutdown starting Wednesday morning.

It's been a week into the federal government shutdown, and flight delays and cancellations are starting to climb nationwide.

President Donald Trump is considering not giving back pay to all federal employees once the government shutdown ends, suggesting it could depend on the worker in the GOP’s latest attempt to force Democrats to concede in the ongoing funding battle.

Rep. Michael Lawler, R-N.Y., left, confronts House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., in a heated discussion to endorse House bill H.R.5145 that would extend the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Democrats say that's even more reason to extend the subsidies. If they expire, the Congressional Budget Office estimates 2 million people will drop insurance due to cost, leading to more uncompensated care that providers will likely pass on to those with insurance -- driving up costs further.