How could a government shutdown impact you? Travel, benefits and more may be affected

A government shutdown looks increasingly likely as Congress remains gridlocked ahead of a looming deadline to fund federal operations.

If a shutdown occurs, numerous federal agencies and programs will be affected, undoubtedly impacting millions of Americans.

Why will the government shut down?

Congress is tasked with appropriating funds to federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, Social Security Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, NASA and over 100 others.

Every year, lawmakers must pass spending bills for the agencies by Oct. 1, the start of the federal fiscal year.

If Congress fails to dole out funds by then, government agencies — unable to spend money — cease all non-essential operations, triggering a government shutdown.

Now, with just days to go before the funding deadline, the Republican-majority House of Representatives and the Democratic-majority Senate remain at an impasse, according to Reuters. Unless the two chambers can hammer out a last-minute deal, a shutdown is all but guaranteed.

House Republicans have pushed forward a partisan funding measure — including appropriations for a southern border wall — that is unlikely to be met with approval in the Senate.

Meanwhile, the Senate advanced a bipartisan stopgap measure that would fund the government until Nov. 17, according to Roll Call. However, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy rejected the bill, saying he would not take up the legislation in the House, according to the Associated Press.

McCarthy faces pressure from the Freedom Caucus, a group of far-right Republicans, to play hard ball with Democrats when it comes to government funding negotiations, according to Politico. Their goal is to cut back on federal spending.

The caucus has threatened to oust McCarthy from the speakership, a position he only tenuously holds, if he doesn’t meet their demands.

All of these factors make a government shutdown all but assured come Oct. 1.

What would be affected by a shutdown?

If an eleventh-hour funding agreement is not reached, certain federal agencies and programs will quickly grind to a halt and some basic services will be curtailed.

• Federal employees: During a shutdown, government agencies are required to classify their employees as essential or non-essential. Those deemed essential — including personnel involved in law enforcement and defense — would continue to work without pay, while non-essential employees would be furloughed, according to the Office of Policy and Management.

• Military: Active-duty service members, considered essential employees, would remain working without pay during a government shutdown, while non-essential employees would be furloughed according to the Department of Defense. Base services would be limited, and elective health procedures would be postponed. Military retirees would continue to be paid as their payments are not tied to appropriations.

• Food assistance: Programs like Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could be in jeopardy during a shutdown, according to the Associated Press. The nearly 7 million people who rely on WIC could lose assistance “almost immediately into a shutdown.” On the other hand, in the event of a shutdown, families will continue to receive SNAP assistance at least through October.

• Travel: Air travel could experience significant disruptions during a shutdown as more than 17,000 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees would be furloughed, according to Reuters. Upwards of 60,000 other FAA employees would continue to work without pay, according to the White House. Meanwhile, “consular services, passport services, and visa services are expected to continue in the immediate aftermath of a government shutdown,” according to Congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Michigan.

• National parks: In the event of a government shutdown, national parks will be closed, according to the Department of the Interior. “Gates will be locked, visitor centers will be closed, and thousands of park rangers will be furloughed,” according to the department. Museums could also be shuttered during a shutdown, according to NPR.

What won’t be affected by a shutdown?

Certain programs and agencies, particularly those deemed essential, will not be affected by a government shutdown.

• Social Security: Social Security checks will not be affected by a government shutdown, according to NBC News. The program is considered mandatory and is not funded through the annual appropriations process.

• Medicare and Medicaid: Medicare benefits would not be affected by a shutdown, and Medicaid has funding for three more months in the event of a shutdown, according to The Washington Post.

• Student loans: Student loan payments will not be affected by the shutdown, according to McClatchy News. “Even if Republicans needlessly shut down the government, loan payments will continue to be due,” a Department of Education spokesperson told McClatchy in an email.

• Postal Service: Neither snow nor rain … nor government shutdowns hinders mail carriers. “The U.S. Postal Service is an independent entity that is funded through the sale of its products and services, and not by tax dollars,” according to Congressman Jimmy Panetta of California.

This story was originally published September 29, 2023 at 12:01 PM with the headline "How could a government shutdown impact you? Travel, benefits and more may be affected."