A federal government shutdown is looming as the House of Representatives failed to pass a short-term spending bill on Thursday. President-elect Donald Trump and House Republicans opposed an earlier bill that would have kept the government running into next year. Lawmakers have until the end of Friday to pass a spending bill to fund the government into next spring. If they fail, the government will enter a shutdown period, during which federal employees will be furloughed without pay and certain services will cease to operate. The US government has experienced 10 shutdowns in its history, with the most recent lasting 35 days in December 2018.
In the event of a government shutdown, certain vital services will persist, while others may stall. Social Security checks, Supplemental Security Income, and Social Security Disability Insurance will continue to be sent out. However, delays may be experienced for other Social Security services, such as the issuance of new cards and customer service responses. Medicare and Medicaid benefits are also expected to continue during a shutdown, with the possibility of them ceasing in an extended shutdown scenario. Federal nutrition programs, such as SNAP, may lose funding, impacting millions of Americans who rely on these programs.
Despite a government shutdown, air travel is not expected to be immediately affected, as federal employees, including air traffic controllers and TSA officers, are required to work without pay. However, if these employees do not show up for work, delays at airports could occur. The reasons behind Congress not approving a short-term budget coincide with President-elect Donald Trump’s demands to raise or abolish the debt limit. This demand has stalled GOP support for the resolution, as Trump threatens those who support it with targeting in future primary elections. The debt limit affects how much the US Treasury can borrow to fulfill obligations.
If a government shutdown ensues, certain federal services may be impacted. While essential services like Social Security and Medicare will continue, the lack of funding may affect other programs and services. Businesses and individuals who rely on government assistance may face challenges during a shutdown period. The looming shutdown highlights the complexities and challenges of budget negotiations and political dynamics within Congress and the administration. Should a shutdown occur, it would not only impact federal employees but also millions of Americans who depend on government services and programs.
