Funding

Uncertainty Grows as Government Shutdown Begins

What began as temporary furloughs could become lasting cuts that deepen the FCC’s workforce losses

Naomi Jindra

Oct 2, 2025 — 2 min read

Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought (left) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. (right)

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2025 — The federal government shutdown is now in effect, cutting off communications from many agencies and leaving key questions unanswered.

Emails and calls to the Federal Communications Commission are bouncing back, as most of the agency has gone dark. The lapse leaves broadband policy, licensing decisions and consumer complaints in limbo, just one symptom of the broader shutdown.

The FCC said about 88 percent of its staff will be furloughed, leaving only 171 employees. Those remaining will handle spectrum auctions, the Office of Inspector General, disaster response and interference detection. A handful of staff will also oversee the Universal Service Fund and preparations for the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference.

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Funding government shutdown Chuck Schumer Russ Vought FCC Hatch Act Donald Trump Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez J.D. Vance Department of Housing and Urban Development

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