Translate
21 December 2024
US government shutdown: What closes, what stays open?
US government shutdown: What closes, what stays open?
Reuters
19/12/2024
US government services would be disrupted and hundreds of thousands of federal workers would be told not to work if Congress fails to extend funding past Friday. - REUTERS
WASHINGTON: U.S. government services would be disrupted and hundreds of thousands of federal workers would be told not to work if Congress fails to extend funding past Friday.
Workers deemed essential would remain on the job. All federal employees' pay could be disrupted during a shutdown, though they would receive retroactive pay once government operations resume.
Here is a guide to what would stay open and what would shut down, according to agency shutdown plans outlined last year:
WHEN AND WHY WOULD THE GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN?
Congress writes detailed spending legislation for most U.S. government agencies each year, but it rarely gets the job done before the fiscal year starts on Oct. 1. Lawmakers typically pass stopgap spending bills to avoid disruption for several weeks or months while they finish their work.
The current stopgap bill is due to expire on Dec. 20. Republicans who control the House of Representatives and Democrats who control the Senate have negotiated a 1,500-page bill that extends that funding until March 14, when President-elect Donald Trump will be back in office. But Trump on Wednesday urged lawmakers to vote against it, complicating its chances of becoming law.
If Congress does not pass some sort of extension and Democratic President Joe Biden does not sign it into law before midnight on Friday, wide swaths of the government would not have the money to continue their operations in the days leading up to Christmas on Dec. 25.
DOES THE MAIL GET DELIVERED IF THE GOVERNMENT CLOSES?
The U.S. Postal Service would be unaffected because it does not depend on Congress for funding.
WHAT HAPPENS TO SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE AND OTHER BENEFITS?
The Social Security Administration would continue to issue retirement and disability benefits.
Payments would likewise continue under the Medicare and Medicaid healthcare programs.
Military veterans' benefits and medical care would also continue.
Food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other nutrition programs would continue, though they could be disrupted to some extent.
WHAT DOES A SHUTDOWN MEAN FOR THE MILITARY?
The 2 million U.S. military personnel would remain at their posts, but roughly half of the Pentagon's 800,000 civilian employees would be furloughed — ordered not to work.
Contracts awarded before the shutdown would continue, and the Pentagon could place new orders for supplies or services needed to protect national security. Other new contracts, including renewals or extensions, would not be awarded.
Payments to defense contractors such as Boeing BA.N, Lockheed Martin LMT.N and RTX RTX.N, formerly known as Raytheon, could be delayed.
The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration would continue maintaining nuclear weapons.
HOW DOES A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AFFECT LAW ENFORCEMENT?
Agents at the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and other federal law enforcement agencies would remain on the job, and prison staffers would continue to work.
The Secret Service and the Coast Guard would also continue operations, and most employees would continue to work.
Most of the Federal Trade Commission's consumer-protection workers would be furloughed, as would half of its antitrust employees.
WILL NATIONAL PARKS CLOSE DURING A SHUTDOWN?
National parks, monuments and other sites would be closed to the public, though it will be impossible to keep visitors out of many of them. Rangers would be furloughed and restrooms, help desks and other facilities would be shuttered.
Some states may use their own money to keep parks and other sites open, as happened in the 2018-2019 shutdown.
Wildfire fighting efforts would continue, though timber sales on national forest lands would be curtailed and fewer recreation permits would be issued.
WHAT HAPPENS TO BORDERS AND HOMELAND SECURITY?
Most Border Patrol and immigration enforcement agents would continue to work, as would most customs officers.
Local governments would not get new aid to shelter migrants.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency would suspend security reviews that help schools, local governments and other institutions defend against ransomware.
WILL FEDERAL COURTS STILL BE OPEN DURING A SHUTDOWN?
Federal courts could operate for several weeks without congressional funding, relying on fees and other funds, but eventually would have to scale back activity. The Supreme Court would stay open as well.
Criminal prosecutions would continue. Most civil litigation would be postponed.
DOES CONGRESS STILL GET PAID?
Lawmakers would continue to collect paychecks, even as other federal workers do not. Staffers would not get paid, though those deemed essential would be required to work.
DOES A SHUTDOWN IMPACT TRANSPORTATION?
Airport security screeners and air-traffic-control workers would be required to work, according to recent contingency plans, though absenteeism could be a problem. Some airports had to suspend operations during a shutdown in 2019 when traffic controllers called in sick.
The Transportation Security Administration would not be able to hire new airport security screeners during the busy holiday travel season.
Some major infrastructure projects could face delays because environmental reviews and permitting would be disrupted, according to the White House.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS?
U.S. embassies and consulates would remain open. Passport and visa processing would continue as long as there were sufficient fees to cover operations. Nonessential official travel, speeches and other events would be curtailed.
Some foreign aid programs could run out of money as well.
WOULD A SHUTDOWN DISRUPT SCIENCE?
Scientific research would be disrupted as agencies like the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration would furlough most of their workers once they run out of funding.
NASA would continue to support the International Space Station and track satellites, but 17,000 of its 18,300 employees would be furloughed.
Weather forecasts and fisheries regulation would continue, as would patent and trademark reviews.
The Federal Communications Commission would suspend consumer-protection activities, equipment reviews and licensing of TV and radio stations. It would continue to distribute telecommunications subsidies and its broadband mapping effort.
WHAT HAPPENS TO HEALTH PROGRAMS?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would continue to monitor disease outbreaks, though other public health activities could suffer as more than half of the agency's workers would be furloughed.
The National Institutes of Health would furlough most of its staff and delay new clinical trials for medical treatments.
Healthcare services for military veterans and Native Americans would continue.
Most inspections of hazardous waste sites and drinking water and chemical facilities would stop.
Food-safety inspections by the Food and Drug Administration could be delayed. However, the FDA's testing of new drugs and medical devices would continue.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE SEC AND FINANCIAL REGULATION?
The Securities and Exchange Commission would furlough roughly 90% of its 4,600 employees and suspend most activities, it said last year, leaving only a skeleton staff to respond to emergencies.
Likewise, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission would furlough almost all of its employees and cease most oversight activity.
The Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency would continue as normal because they are funded by industry fees rather than congressional appropriations.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, an industry-financed brokerage oversight body, would continue to operate.
The Treasury Department would continue to issue debt and manage the government's cash position.
DOES A SHUTDOWN DELAY KEY ECONOMIC DATA?
The publication of major U.S. economic data, including employment and inflation reports of critical importance to policymakers and investors, would be suspended.
WILL THE IRS STAY OPEN DURING A SHUTDOWN?
The Internal Revenue Service would stop examining and auditing tax returns and responding to taxpayer queries. Automated tax collection would continue, as would processing of green-energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. Roughly two-thirds of the agency's 90,000 employees would be furloughed.
DOES THE SHUTDOWN AFFECT EDUCATION?
Pell Grants and student loans would continue to be paid out, but could be disrupted as most Education Department employees would be furloughed.
A protracted shutdown could "severely curtail" aid to schools, universities and other educational institutions, the department said last year. It also could delay funds that are due to be awarded later in the year.
WHAT HAPPENS TO HEAD START AND CHILD CARE?
The White House said last year that 10,000 children from low-income families would lose access to the Head Start preschool program.
DOES A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AFFECT SMALL BUSINESSES?
The Small Business Administration would not be able to issue any new loans, though loans for businesses hurt by natural disasters would continue.
HOW DOES A SHUTDOWN AFFECT FARMERS?
Meat and egg inspections would continue, but some lab services would be disrupted, making it harder to fight animal diseases. Crop insurance would not be affected, but some loan programs would be. Research, conservation and rural development programs would be shut down.
DOES A SHUTDOWN AFFECT WORKPLACE SAFETY?
Workplace safety inspections would be limited, and investigations into unfair pay practices would be suspended.
The ability of the National Labor Relations Board to mediate labor disputes would be curtailed because almost all of its 1,200 employees would be furloughed, according to a 2022 plan.
HOW DOES A SHUTDOWN AFFECT HOUSING?
Monthly subsidies for public housing and low-income housing aid would be at risk. The Federal Housing Administration would continue to back insured mortgages, and Ginnie Mae would continue to back the secondary mortgage market. New homebuyers in rural areas would not be able to get loans from the Agriculture Department.
HOW WOULD A SHUTDOWN IMPACT THE WHITE HOUSE?
In the 2018-2019 shutdown, the White House furloughed 1,100 of 1,800 staff in the Executive Office of the President. Some offices, such as the National Security Council, continued at full strength, while others like the Office of Management and Budget were scaled back sharply.
The U.S. Constitution specifies that the president continues to get paid.
Popular Posts - Last 7 days
-
At least 100,000 bodies in Syrian mass grave, US advocacy group head says Reuters 17/12/2024 Abo Khaled, a farmer walks by the site of a ma...
-
TikToker Rayyan Wong arrested for insulting the Agong, TMJ and PM 19/12/2024 Razarudin said that prior to that, a report was made by the Ma...
-
High Court frees Rosmah of 17 money laundering and tax evasion charges Bernama 19/12/2024 Judge grants an order of acquittal after allowing ...
-
KDNK Malaysia diunjur naik 4.9 peratus pada 2025 - Firma penyelidikan Bernama 18/12/2024 HLIB berkata, inflasi negara dijangka meningkat ke...
Popular Posts - Last 30 days
-
At least 100,000 bodies in Syrian mass grave, US advocacy group head says Reuters 17/12/2024 Abo Khaled, a farmer walks by the site of a ma...
-
Woman hit by car at pedestrian crossing while chasing young boy dashing across road image: http://www.thestar.com.my/~/medi...
-
Kemunculan bank digital baharu melonjakkan sektor perbankan global pada 2024 Bernama 08/12/2024 Kemunculan Boost Bank iaitu bank digital tem...
-
Ammar Alfian dakwa sudah ragut dara Puteri Sarah Liyana PORUMAN 1:19 PTG Hiburan Tiada Komen Ammar Alfian dakwa sudah rag...
-
NSRC successfully blocked RM19 million from being transferred in online fraud cases - PM Bernama 03/12/2024 PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim say...
-
Banjir: Ratusan rumah dinaiki air di Ipoh, penduduk dakwa kali pertama sejak lebih 25 tahun Astro Awani 01/12/2024 Penduduk di Taman Arena K...
-
Pastor didakwa bunuh, simpan mayat ibu dalam peti sejuk beku Astro Awani 26/11/2024 Deanesh didakwa di bawah Seksyen 302 Kanun Keseksaan ya...
-
Ananda Krishnan leaves behind indelible mark in corporate Malaysia Bernama 28/11/2024 Ananda Krishnan will be remembered as a pioneer who tr...
Blog Archive
-
▼
2024
(5404)
-
▼
Dec 2024
(810)
- Polis Kelantan Terima Ancaman
- Rogol Mangsa Bawah Umur Di PPS
- PDRM rampas senjata tiruan, hidupan liar tanpa per...
- Haramkan TikTok bagi 16 tahun ke bawah jika masih ...
- Pekerja Cedera Parah Tergantung Dan Tertusuk Besi
- Putin says Russia is ready to compromise with Trum...
- Malaysia's missing MH370 plane: What we know, 10 y...
- Indian opposition's Rahul Gandhi faces police prob...
- King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, w...
- MCMC publishes code of conduct (Best Practice) for...
- Dua Skim Pelaburan Berkaitan Ketua Sindiket Ditaha...
- KPDN Perak sita minyak masak bersubsidi disorok da...
- English Language - Silent Letter Day I Michael Mc...
- JKNJ rampas vape bernilai RM34,158 termasuk berben...
- 'Sedih untuk berakhir macam ini' - Vicente
- Perayaan Krismas: Tol percuma pada Isnin dan Selasa
- Amaran ribut petir, hujan lebat di Perak, Selangor...
- UM prihatin dengan kejadian kucing mati secara nge...
- 288,000 EPF members register to contribute above t...
- US government shutdown: What closes, what stays open?
- What happens next for TikTok after Supreme Court a...
- [COLUMNIST] Reducing Malaysian prison overcrowding...
- Gender studies alumni stand against sexual harassm...
- Israeli minister criticises Pope's call to study w...
- ITOs to spread out change in premiums over a minim...
- MH370 expert Richard Godfrey on latest attempt to ...
- Masters of the Air — Official Trailer | Apple TV+
- At least 2 dead, 68 injured after car drives into ...
- Malaysia 0 - 0 Singapore | Asean Mitsubishi Cup 20...
- Pekerja Asing 'Kantoi' Guna Mykad Kerja Kilang
- 9 Lokasi Burger Tepi Jalan Terbaik | DESTINASI TV
- MAQIS P. Pinang rampas 27 tan sosej dari China
- Remaja Gadai Maruah Melalui Aplikasi Dalam Talian ...
- 7 didakwa buat pakatan 'scam' orang
- Pendakwaan fail rayuan pembebasan Rosmah Mansor
- PERAGUT LOLOS KINI DICARI PIHAK POLIS
- PM umum peruntukan RM1 juta untuk pembinaan Pusat ...
- 14 barangan di bawah skim harga maksimum
- BNM umum dua langkah untuk kurangkan beban kenaika...
- Pesara rugi lebih RM134,000 terperdaya pelaburan t...
- Mekanik rugi hampir RM1 juta terperdaya pelaburan ...
- Banjir: 23,000 laporan kerosakan diterima berkaita...
- Amaran kesihatan berhubung demam campak dikeluarka...
- Tiga lelaki, lima wanita didakwa berkaitan ajaran ...
- BWF gantung Liew Daren, Jerry Gan kerana pertaruha...
- Bursa Malaysia capai 55 IPO, tertinggi dalam masa ...
- Tiada kenaikan tarif elektrik pengguna Semenanjung...
- Lelaki parah dibelasah sekumpulan individu berang ...
- MCMC terbit Kod Tatalaku (Amalan Terbaik) untuk pe...
- Top filem sepanjang 2024!
- Seorang daripada lima penuntut UM didakwa alami ga...
- Hot Daddy, dua rakan wanita diburu polis
- Penunggang Motosikal Parah Langgar Kereta Polis El...
- Pemandu e-Hailing Tuntut Kerajaan Kuatkuasa Kawala...
- Isteri tetap pertahankan Along Cham, tak sanggup t...
- Siapa Khianat Siapa? Megat Tunjuk Bukti Mesej Teng...
- Gegar Vaganza memalukan artis, Man Bai selamba ‘so...
- Kenapa Musa Aman dilantik sebagai TYT Sabah menjad...
- Along Cham didakwa miliki dadah, rayu jaminan seba...
- Pelajar UM desak pensyarah hantar gambar bogel dig...
- Ocean Infinity cadangkan kawasan baru operasi penc...
- Tindakan FAM tidak mengejutkan, nasib Vicente miri...
- Tujuh didakwa tawar pelaburan tidak wujud secara d...
- Sultan Selangor zahir rasa sedih atas pemergian ad...
- PDRM siasat kaitan rakyat Malaysia ditahan di Thai...
- Operator feri diberi subsidi diesel mulai Januari ...
- Apple hits out at Meta's numerous interoperability...
- Kemalangan maut: Pemandu treler rempuh empat kende...
- Bekas jururawat didakwa tipu wanita tawar bayi seb...
- Papagomo disoal 37 soalan, pilih jawab di mahkamah
- Najis Burung Merpati Merbahaya
- Beri moratorium ke atas apa-apa siasatan, pendakwaan
- Pemandu, kelindan maut lori kargo rempuh treler
- 7 maut dalam kebakaran di bengkel lilin
- Amaran hujan berterusan di Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan ...
- Bursa Malaysia dibuka tinggi
- Tiga Pelajar IPT Buli Rakan Di Asrama Ditahan
- Ejen Hartanah Berputih Mata Rugi RM85,000
- Along Cham Mengaku Tidak Bersalah
- Koperal Polis Direman Dipercayai Minta Rasuah RM80...
- Ringgit hampir mendatar berbanding dolar AS, mengu...
- DISERGAH SEKAWAN GAJAH DI JALAN GERIK JELI
- Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 Man Utd | HEUNG-MIN SON SCOR...
- USTAZ MASJID KL TAHAN JENAZAH PAKSA SUAMI 0KU BAYA...
- DBKL Gempur Penjaja Kampung Baru
- Suri rumah diperdaya serah barang kemas, rugi lebi...
- Victor's apology over inverted Jalur Gemilang on Z...
- Arwah Lan Zailan sempat tinggal pesan, isteri kong...
- Polis terima 24 laporan tipu pakej pelancongan ke ...
- Isu rumah balu 'perwira negara': Tiada rumah dirob...
- UMNO Selangor khianat Tengku Zafrul? | MalaysiaGaz...
- Anak Lelaki Abuya, Isteri Mengaku Tidak Bersalah
- Pengetua mengaku tidak bersalah lakukan amang & ko...
- Papagomo mahu jawab semua soalan di mahkamah
- Siasatan sejak September, tiada unsur jenayah tend...
- Rayyan Wong Dibebas
- Selebriti lelaki disyaki miliki dadah disambung re...
- Drama cetus fenomena labuh tirai malam ini
- Dua Maut, Dua Parah Kereta Bertembung
- Lagu-lagu yang mendominasi tahun 2024 di Malaysia!
-
▼
Dec 2024
(810)