In September, the President signed five of the 12 Appropriations bills into law for 2019. These bills included: Defense, Energy & Water, Labor-Health & Human Services-Education, Military Construction-Veterans' Affairs, and the Legislative Branch. Therefore, in the event of a shutdown, around 80% of the federal government will remain fully funded by the previous passage of these bills.
Funding for the remaining seven appropriations bills – Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Interior, State-Foreign Operations, and Transportation-Housing & Urban Development – expires today. If Congress is unable to come to an agreement on a short-term spending bill to fund these remaining programs and agencies, the federal government will partially shut down at midnight tonight.
In the event of a government shutdown, my offices will remain open during normal business hours if you are in need of assistance. For specific information regarding what happens if the federal government shuts down, which agencies are affected, and guidance on emergency furloughs, please see below:
How will the government shutdown affect different agencies?
Please click here for agency contingency plans and frequently asked questions during a lapse in appropriations.
In the Event of a Government Shutdown:
Which federal employees continue to work?
During the event of a government shutdown, agencies must classify their employees as “essential” or “nonessential”. Those classified as “essential” will continue working throughout the government shutdown, receiving pay at the first of the month for the preceding month. Click here for more information regarding shutdown furloughs.
Will furloughed federal employees receive back pay in the event of a government shutdown?
This is up to Congress and the White House. The precedent has been that furloughed employees are later paid, through legislative action, which is what occurred after the government shutdown in 2013.
Will I continue to receive my Social Security, Social Security Insurance (SSI), and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) checks?
Yes. Social Security checks will continue to be mailed out.
What happens to Medicaid and Medicare?
Medicare and Medicaid will be unaffected.
Will Veterans’ Hospitals remain open?
Yes. The VA will be unaffected in the event of a government shutdown.
Will I get continue to receive my mail?
Yes. United States Postal Service operations will not be impacted.
Will National Parks be open?
Effective immediately in the event of a lapse in appropriations, the National Park Service will take all necessary steps to suspend all activities and secure national park facilities that operate using appropriations that would lapse, except for those that are essential to respond to emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property. Click here for the Department of Interior’s contingency plan for our national parks.
What will happen to the Department of Defense and active duty military?
The DoD and active duty military will be unaffected in the event of a government shutdown.
As I’ve said before, I do not find government shutdowns to be an effective or responsible tool for negotiation – especially when it comes to providing critical funding for the programs and agencies Americans rely on. This is why I’ve done everything possible to keep our government open, voting last night to support a Continuing Resolution that would fund the remaining portion of our federal government through February 8, 2019. This legislation successfully passed out of the House by a recorded vote of 217-185. As Congress continues working alongside the Administration to reach a deal before midnight, please know my staff and I will keep you informed of any updates surrounding a short-term spending bill.
Thank you for subscribing to the Amodei Report. I look forward to continuing to keep you up to date on the issues you care about most. For additional information, please visit my website at amodei.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-6155, Reno office: (775) 686-5760 or Elko office: (775) 777-7705. To receive updates on what I am doing in Washington and in Nevada’s 2nd District follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.
