Mayor: Alexandria 'prepared and responsive' as partial shutdown begins
City where 20% of workforce holds federal jobs monitoring impact; House vote expected Monday
Mayor Alyia Gaskins said Saturday that city leadership is closely monitoring the partial federal government shutdown and assessing its potential impact on municipal operations, local services, and residents.
“While Congressional negotiations are ongoing, our priority is to be prepared and responsive,” Gaskins said in a statement. “We will continue to keep the community informed as more information becomes available and will share updates promptly if there are any changes that affect our City.”
The shutdown took effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, after Congress failed to approve a spending deal before a midnight deadline. The Senate voted Friday to fund most of the government through the end of September while carving out a temporary extension for Homeland Security funding. The measure passed 71-29, but the House is not due back until Monday, according to the Associated Press. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he expects the chamber to vote Monday evening.
Gaskins said residents and stakeholders should monitor official city communications for guidance and updates.
The shutdown carries particular weight in Alexandria, where approximately 13,000 federal employees live, and 20 percent of the workforce holds federal jobs — well above the Northern Virginia average of 12.5 percent.
The city enters budget season facing what City Manager James Parajon has called “continued uncertainty” stemming from federal policy changes. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released last week confirmed the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area is now the only large metro in the nation experiencing job decline, losing 48,500 jobs between November 2024 and November 2025.
Federal employment has fallen by 277,000 positions nationally — roughly 9 percent — since January 2025 under the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative. Last fall, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history — at 43 days — had lasting and widespread negative impacts across the country.
Parajon is scheduled to present his proposed fiscal year 2027 budget Feb. 24, with final adoption set for April 29.
The city said it will continue deploying resources to assist those affected. Residents can contact FedImpact-AlexTax@alexandriava.gov or visit alexandriava.gov/FederalWorkers. Those seeking information in other languages may contact LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or 703-746-3960.