WASHINGTON, Sept 11 (Askume) – If Congress fails to release funds after Oct. 1, U.S. government services could be disrupted and hundreds of thousands of federal employees could be asked not to work, officials said. Employees deemed essential would continue to work. All federal employees’ pay could be affected during the government shutdown, but they would receive retroactive pay once the government resumes operations.
Based on institutional closure plans from last year , here’s guidance on what will remain open and what will be closed:
When and why does the government shut down?
Congress crafts detailed spending legislation for most U.S. government agencies each year, but the work is rarely completed before the fiscal year begins on October 1. Lawmakers often pass spending bills on short notice to avoid weeks or months of disruption in completing their work, but this often involves considerable drama.
This year, Republicans who control the House say any stopgap spending bill must include legislation tightening voting laws to prevent noncitizens from voting.Barred from running in the Nov. 5 election . The law already bars noncitizens from voting, and Democrats, who have a majority in the Senate, oppose the move as an attempt to suppress voters.
If the two sides are unable to resolve their differences by October 1, most government departments will not have the money to continue operating.
If the government shuts down, will mail still be delivered?
This would have no effect on the U.S. Postal Service because it does not rely on Congress for funding.
What will happen to Social Security, Medicare and other benefits?
The Social Security Administration will continue to pay retirement and disability benefits.
Likewise, Medicare and Medicaid health care plans will continue to make payments.
Veteran benefits and health care would also continue.
Food benefits provided through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other nutrition programs will continue, but there may be some degree of disruption.
What does the shutdown mean for the military?
The two million U.S. military personnel will remain on the job, but about half of the Pentagon’s 800,000 civilian employees will be furloughed — ordered not to work.
Contracts awarded before the shutdown will continue and the Pentagon may place new orders for supplies or services needed to protect national security. No other new contracts, including renewals or extensions, will be awarded.
Defense contractors such as Boeing (BA.N) , Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) and RTX (RTX.N) , formerly Raytheon Co., could see payments delayed.
The Energy Department’s National Nuclear Security Administration will continue to maintain nuclear weapons.
How does a government shutdown affect law enforcement?
Agents from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and other federal law enforcement agencies will continue to work, as will jail staff.
The Secret Service and Coast Guard will continue to work, as will most other personnel.
Most of the FTC’s consumer protection staff would be furloughed, as would half of its anti-competition staff.
Will national parks be closed during the shutdown?
National parks, monuments and other attractions will remain closed to the public, but visitors will not be able to stay away from many of them. Rangers will be on holiday and toilets, information desks and other facilities will be closed.
Some states may use their own money to keep parks and other places open, as was the case during the 2018-2019 shutdown.
While timber sales on National Forest lands will decrease and the issuance of recreational permits will be reduced, efforts to fight wildfires will continue.
What will happen to the borders and internal security?
Most Border Patrol and Immigration Enforcement agents, as well as most Customs officers, will continue to work.
Local governments will not receive new aid to shelter immigrants.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is suspending security reviews that help protect schools, local governments and other entities from ransomware.
Will federal courts be open during a government shutdown?
Federal courts can operate for several weeks without congressional funding, relying on fees and other funding, but will eventually have to reduce activity. The Supreme Court will also remain open.
Criminal trials will continue. Most civil trials will be postponed.
Does Congress still get paid?
Lawmakers will continue to receive paychecks, while other federal employees will not. Employees will not be paid, but those deemed essential will have to work.
Will the suspension affect traffic?
Under the recently released contingency plan, airport security staff and air traffic control employees will be required to work, though absenteeism could be an issue. Some airports had to suspend operations during the 2019 shutdown as traffic controllers reported sick.
The Transportation Security Administration will be unable to hire new airport security inspectors during the busy holiday travel season.
According to the White House, some major infrastructure projects could be delayed because environmental reviews and permitting would be disrupted.
What impact will this have on diplomacy?
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates will remain open. Passport and visa processing will continue as long as there are sufficient fees to cover operating expenses. Non-essential official travel, speeches, and other events will remain restricted.
Some foreign aid programs could also run out of money.
Will the shutdown hamper science?
If funding dries up, scientific research would be disrupted, and agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have furloughed most of their staff.
NASA will continue to provide support for the International Space Station and tracking satellites, but 17,000 of its 18,300 employees will be furloughed.
Weather forecasting and fisheries regulation will continue, as well as patent and trademark review.
The FCC will suspend consumer protection activities, equipment reviews, and licensing of television and radio stations. It will continue to allocate telecommunications subsidies and broadband mapping efforts.
What will happen to health plans?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will continue to monitor the disease outbreak, but with more than half of the agency’s staff furloughed, other public health activities could be affected.
The National Institutes of Health is furloughing most of its staff and delaying clinical trials of new medical treatments.
Medical services for veterans and Native Americans would continue.
Most inspections of hazardous waste sites and drinking water and chemical facilities would stop.
FDA food safety inspections may be delayed. However, testing of new drugs and medical devices by the FDA will continue.
What will happen to the SEC and financial regulation?
The SEC said last year that it would furlough about 90% of its 4,600 employees and suspend most activities, leaving only a small staff to handle emergencies.
Similarly, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission will furlough nearly all of its employees and cease most supervisory activities.
The Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will continue to operate normally because they are funded by industry fees rather than congressional appropriations.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Commission, the industry-funded brokerage regulator, will continue its work.
The treasury will continue to issue debt and manage the government’s cash position.
Will the shutdown delay important economic data?
Important U.S. economic data for policymakers and investors, including employment and inflation reports, will also be suspended.
Will the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) be open during a government shutdown?
The IRS will stop investigating and auditing tax returns and answering taxpayer questions. Automated taxation will continue, as will the processing of green energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. About two-thirds of the agency’s 90,000 employees will be furloughed.
Will school closures affect education?
Pell Grant and student loan payments will continue but could be disrupted because most Education Department employees will be furloughed.
Last year, the department said that prolonged closures could “severely reduce” support for schools, universities and other educational institutions. As a result, payments received at the end of the year could also be delayed.
What will happen to Head Start and child care?
The White House said last year that 10,000 low-income children would lose access to the Head Start preschool program.
Will the government shutdown affect small businesses?
The Small Business Administration will not be able to issue any new loans, but will continue to provide loans to businesses affected by natural disasters.
What impact will the shutdown have on farmers?
Meat and egg testing will continue, but some laboratory services will be disrupted, making it harder to fight animal diseases. Crop insurance will not be affected, but some loan programs will be affected. Research, conservation and rural development programs will be shut down.
Will the shutdown affect workplace safety?
Workplace safety inspections would be limited and investigations into unfair pay practices would be delayed.
The National Labor Relations Board’s ability to mediate labor disputes will be diminished by 2022 as nearly all of the board’s 1,200 employees are set to be furloughed.
How will the closure affect housing?
Monthly subsidies for public housing and low-income housing assistance will be at risk. The Federal Housing Administration will continue to support insured mortgages, and Ginnie Mae will continue to support the secondary mortgage market. People buying new homes in rural areas will not be able to get loans from the agricultural sector.
How will a government shutdown affect the White House?
During the 2018-2019 government shutdown, the White House furloughed 1,100 of the 1,800 Executive Office of the President staff members. Some offices, such as the National Security Council, are operating at full capacity, while others, such as the Office of Management and Budget, have seen drastic cuts.
There is a provision in the American Constitution that the President will continue to receive salary.
