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Here's how a federal government shutdown will impact Maine

The Capitol is seen under dark skies in Washington, Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
J. Scott Applewhite
/
AP
The Capitol is seen under dark skies in Washington, Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

The federal government shut down at midnight on Wednesday, an event that will ripple through Maine.

The shut down affects 12,000 federal workers in the state, but not all will be furloughed. Those working air traffic controllers, Border Patrol and the Postal Service are deemed essential and will work without pay.

Workers at Acadia National Park will likely be furloughed, but it's unclear whether the Trump administration will keep the park open to visitors, as it did during the last shutdown between 2018 and 2019.

Recipients of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid will continue to receive benefits, but some services may be limited depending on the duration of a shut down.

Mothers and young children who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, food program could feel the effects sooner if the state doesn't step in to provide additional funding.

Journalist Steve Mistler is Maine Public’s chief politics and government correspondent. He is based at the State House.