Skip to content
Navigating a New Political Landscape: View real-time updates about the impact of and Northeastern’s response to recent political changes.
Apply
Stories

Homeland security expert details what would a government shutdown mean for US national defense

People in this story

The Pentagon is seen on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The Pentagon is seen on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, in Washington.

The idea of a government shutdown has the nation rightfully on edge — not least because it’s looking increasingly like it may soon be reality. With Congress in disarray over a stopgap measure to fund the government through Nov. 17, federal agencies are bracing for a suspension of many government operations — some of critical importance to the institutions, programs and infrastructure undergirding American life and prosperity. 

Some of the affected programs would include nutrition and immunization assistance through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children; food safety inspections through the Food and Drug Administration; and the operation of national parks and museums. The nation’s security may also be imperiled by a shutdown, says Stephen Flynn, founding director of the Global Resilience Institute — a fact defense officials have alluded to several times this week.

Flynn detailed the cascading effects of a potential shutdown on the nation’s defense and security infrastructure in a Q&A with Northeastern Global News. His responses have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Continue reading at Northeastern Global News.

More Stories

Cover of Gretchen Heefner's book, Sand, Snow, and Stardust

From the ice caps to the moon: Northeastern professor charts military’s environmental adaptation

07.11.2025
Elon Musk speaking

Elon Musk is creating a new political party. Can a third party ever win a US presidential election?

07.10.2025
Ariel view of Boston

Will banning broker fees help renters in New York and Massachusetts?

07.18.25
All Stories