What a Government Shutdown Means for You
A government shutdown occurs when Congress cannot agree on a budget. If a shutdown occurs, the government stops all "non-essential services", while essential services, such as the armed forces, border protection, and air traffic control will continue to operate.
Below is a snapshot of how many major Federal activities would be affected. Below is a snapshot of how many major Federal activities would be affected. Please also note that Congressman Quigley's offices in Chicago and D.C. will remain open for regular business hours and can assist you with additional questions.
Examples of Services That Would Be Affected
Agriculture - USDA would not be able to approve any grants, loans or loan guarantees for its rural housing, utilities, business, and community facilities programs. Farm loans, farm payment, and enrollment in conservation programs would cease. Agricultural export credit activity and other agricultural trade development and monitoring would cease.
Aviation - The Federal Aviation Administration would keep the air traffic control system open and safe.
Commerce - Department of Commerce grant-making programs for economic development would cease, as would most payments by HUD's Community Development Block Grant program to State and local governments.
Defense - Most Department of Defense budget planning and preparation would cease; military personnel would not receive paychecks during a funding lapse. Military operations in Afghanistan, Libya, and Iraq would continue.
Disaster Response - Disaster Response is not affected by the shutdown, FEMA disaster operations would continue. Although, certain FEMA flood mitigation and flood insurance operations would be suspended.
Education - In the event of a government shutdown, we anticipate that there will be limited impact to the federal student aid application (FAFSA) process, to the delivery of federal student aid, or to the federal student loan repayment functions. If you have questions, the Federal Student Aid Information Center will remain open and can be reached at 1-800-4-FED-AID.
Finance - Inspections of stock brokers, receipt and publication of corporate financial disclosures, and routine oversight of financial markets by Federal agencies would cease. Enforcement actions would be postponed in all but a few cases. Treasury's core payment and collection programs would remain operational.
Health - SNAP, WIC, and other child nutrition benefits would continue. FDA monitoring of drug imports would continue. Meat and poultry inspection would continue. The Mine Safety and Health Administration would not be able to conduct regular safety and health inspections.
Housing - The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) would not endorse and delay any pending single-family mortgage loans or have staff available to process and approve new multifamily loans. FHA single-family lending represents a market share of more than 20 percent of overall loan volume (home purchases and re-financing).
IRS - Tax forms still need to be postmarked by Monday, April 18. Electronic tax returns will be processed, but paper returns will not be, leading to a delay in getting your refund. However, staff cuts may delay processing or resolving problems.
Justice - Federal courts are not affected by the shutdown and remain open. Department of Justice civil litigation activities, including civil rights enforcement and defensive litigation (where the U.S. government is a defendant), would mostly stop. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processing would cease. Core Federal law enforcement, such as the FBI and U.S. Marshals, would continue, as would prison and detention operations. Customs and Border Protection activity would continue.
Medicare - Benefits for this program are also exempt from the shutdown, so current participants should not notice any disruption, but new applications could be delayed.
National Parks - National Park Service grounds, museums, and monuments will close, disrupting educational visits and vacation plans.
Postal Service - As a self-funded independent agency of the Executive Branch, the Postal Service does not shut down if a government closure takes place and would continue mail collection, delivery, and other operations.
Small Business - No new approvals of SBA-guaranteed loans for business working capital, real estate investment or job creation activities would occur.
Social Security - Benefits for this crucial program do not go through the appropriations process, so they will continue being deposited in your account or mailed to your home. However, staff cuts may delay other services such as enrolling new participants, holding hearings, or resolving problems.
Unemployment - If the shutdown continued for an extended period, the federal funds that help states pay the costs of their unemployment programs could run out, which would require the state to step in and advance the money to keep their programs running. Otherwise, benefits would be reduced or stopped.
Veterans - VHA hospitals such as Community-Based Outpatient Clinics will stay open, and VBA education, pension, and disability compensation will be paid. While VA hospitals will remain open, the last government shutdown saw many veterans' benefits cut or reduced. Most of the Veterans Benefits Administration customer support services would be suspended.
Visas and Passports - Prior shutdowns have kept new visa and passport applications from being processed. Embassies will remain open for services for American citizens, but will not conduct visa interviews.
Related Websites & Articles
To find more information on the government shutdown, please visit these helpful links:
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management - "Guidance and Information on Furlough"
- Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget - "Planning for Agency Operations During a Lapse in Government Funding"
- Congressional Research Service - "Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes and Effects"
- Sighting Plans in Washington, DC?