Government Shutdown Information
Funding to keep the federal government operating expired at midnight on September 30. By law, if there is no continuing resolution or budget agreement in place by that deadline, the federal government will shut down. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am fully aware of the importance of keeping the federal government funded and functioning to meet the needs of the American people.
I do not support a government shutdown in any way, shape, or form. Before this shutdown, I fully supported passing a four week continuing resolution that would keep the government open while we work to finalize our budget for the remainder of the current fiscal year, while also extending the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits for millions of families. I strongly urged House and Senate Republicans to ignore the demands of billionaires who will not be affected by a shutdown and instead work with Democrats to pass a continuing resolution for all.
Because the government shut down, many federal agencies will be forced to furlough staff, which will delay response times and, in some cases, may suspend services altogether. Please be assured that my team will still be here to help with any urgent federal matters and working to bring the shutdown to a close as quickly as possible. If you are in need of assistance, please contact my office at (608) 258-9800. For additional information regarding the effects of a shutdown on government services, including Social Security, Medicare, veterans benefits, and nutrition assistance programs, please see the information below.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What causes a government shutdown?
The government shuts down when Congress is unable to pass appropriations bills that finance the operations of federal agencies and programs. These appropriations bills are designed to fund the government until the conclusion of each fiscal year, which ends on September 30. If a new appropriations bill isn't enacted by this deadline, Congress needs to pass a temporary measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), which sustains the government's funding at its current level. In the absence of an approved appropriations bill or a CR, the government faces a shutdown due to a lack of authorized funding.
Will I continue to receive my Social Security?
A shutdown will not impact Social Security benefit payments but be aware that new benefit verification and card issuance services could be ceased, meaning new recipients may see delays in processing their claims.
Will Medicare or Medicaid be interrupted?
Medicare and Medicaid will continue for the foreseeable future, but you may experience difficulty reaching these agencies as some employees are furloughed. The Medicare open enrollment period running from October 15 through December 7 will be unaffected, although communications from the agency may be stalled or outdated.
Will Open Enrollment on Healthcare.gov still take place?
The federal insurance marketplace open enrollment will be unaffected. Open Enrollment will proceed as normal from November 1 through January 15.
Is USPS still delivering mail?
All services under the Postal Service will continue unimpacted throughout the government shutdown.
Will my student loans continue to be disbursed?
Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans can continue to be obligated and make disbursement during a shutdown, but only as long as carryover and mandatory appropriations last. However, department staff needed to carry out and support these functions are significantly reduced. Free Applications for Student Aids (FAFSA), Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans could continue for a “very limited time” under a shutdown. If the shutdown continues for an extended period of time, school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages due to lapsed federal funding.
What happens to federal employees during a shutdown?
Federal employees from shut-down agencies are either furloughed—prohibited from work and unpaid—or required to work without pay if their roles are deemed essential to public safety. While Congress passed a law for retroactive payment for these employees once the government reopens, this does not prevent the immediate financial difficulties they face. During the 2018-2019 partial government shutdown, around 2 million people were employed by the federal government; 380,000 of them were furloughed and 420,000 worked without pay. Many delayed mortgage or credit card payments, risking late fees or loan defaults. Government contractors, unlike direct federal employees, typically do not receive back pay after shutdowns. In the 2018-2019 shutdown, it's estimated that 4.1 million people worked under government contracts, though the exact number of those furloughed is unclear.
Do military personnel continue working?
The Department of Defense will continue defending our nation and all military personnel will continue their usual duty. However, our service members will not receive pay during the shutdown. It is unacceptable that the men and women who put their lives on the line for our nation are going unpaid because of House Republican chaos.
Can veterans still get treatment at the VA or access other services?
All functions within the Veterans Health Administration will continue and veterans will continue to receive compensation and pension claims.
Should I cancel my upcoming travel?
You can and should continue to enjoy your travel plans! TSA officers and Air Traffic Controllers are considered essential and are reporting to work throughout the shutdown. Roughly 9,176 people fly through Wisconsin airports every day and now face potential delays and safety concerns due to staffing impacts on TSA agents and air traffic controllers. Please have patience with any delays and keep in mind that both TSA and air traffic controllers are currently working without pay.
I'm coming to DC, will my tours still take place?
Unfortunately, tour guides and visitor centers of DC's government buildings are considered non-essential and have been closed. This means that all tours of the U.S. Capitol, White House, and FBI Building have been canceled during the shutdown.
What about international travel?
All services at international embassies and consulates will likely continue during a lapse of appropriations. If you are abroad and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Will my passport renewal still be processed?
Passport applications will continue to be processed. The Bureau of Consular Affairs/Passport Services is designated as an essential service provider and is funded through passport fees, so all of Passport Services, including agencies and the National Passport Information Center, will remain open during a lapse of appropriations.
Will immigration applications still be processed?
Visa and passport operations are fee-funded and thus are not normally impacted by a lapse in appropriations. Immigration court cases on the detained docket will proceed during a lapse in congressional appropriations while non-detained docket cases will be reset for a later date when funding resumes. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement will retain the vast majority of their employees during a shutdown.
Are National Parks closed?
In the event of a lapse in annual government appropriations, some National Park Service (NPS) sites might be closed. Visitor centers could be closed, entrance fees won't be collected, educational programs will be canceled, and campsites won't be staffed. In many instances, restrooms will be closed and services like trash collection and road maintenance will be suspended. There are also limited emergency/rescue services and safety updates will not be published. Please keep this in mind when planning any visits or hikes in our National Parks.
I have an issue with a government agency, can I still call them for help? Can you help me instead?
Due to the lapse in funding, many agencies have furloughed workers so their help desks may have little or no staffing. You are encouraged to contact any agency to learn if they are still able to assist you at this time. You can also contact my office to open a case for you. We can contact an agency on your behalf and provide you with updates if they are open or when they re-open at the conclusion of a shutdown.
I already have a case open with your office, should I do anything during the shutdown?
My office is continuing to submit inquiries to federal agencies including requesting updates on constituents' behalf, submitting paperwork, and opening new cases. We will provide you with an update as soon as it is available.
I rely on food programs like SNAP and WIC, will I keep getting my payments?
SNAP payments will continue during the month of October but if the shutdown lasts into November or beyond, benefits may be impacted. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), only has federal funds for about one week. In Wisconsin, this means over 91,000 people are at risk of losing nutrition assistance.