US government shutdown in effect: All you need to know

The democrats picked this fight, demanding funding to save health care subsidies that are expiring and sending insurance costs soaring. They want to reverse the Medicaid cuts in President Trump’s mega-bill passed this summer and extend tax credits that make health insurance premiums more affordable for millions of people who purchase through the marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act.

Republicans have called this proposal a nonstarter that would cost taxpayers more than USD 1 trillion and refused to budge.

A government shutdown can have wide-ranging impacts. From delays in federal services to uncertainty for federal workers, small businesses, and military families. Here’s all you need know about the shutdown:

Why does the government shut down?

A government shutdown occurs when Congress is unable to pass the funding bills, known as appropriations, that keep federal agencies running into the next fiscal year, which begins on October 1. If no agreement is reached by September 30 11:59, a partial shutdown begins at 12:01 AM ET on October 1.

What government services and programmes remain uninterrupted during a shutdown?

During a government shutdown, essential services related to national security and public safety, like inpatient and emergency medical care, air traffic control, law enforcement, border security, disaster aid, and power grid maintenance, continue, though they may face disruptions.

Services independent of annual appropriations bills, such as the US Postal Service and programs like Social Security and Medicare, also continue, but may experience interruptions.

What happens to federal employees during a shutdown?

Federal employees from shut-down agencies are either furloughed—prohibited from work, or required to work without pay if their roles are deemed essential to public safety. At this time, it remains unclear how many of federal employees would be temporarily furloughed, required to work without pay, or subject to layoffs as part of Reduction in Force (RIF) initiatives by the Trump Administration.

What is the process to end a government shutdown, and can the President unilaterally end it?

To end a government shutdown, Congress needs to pass, and the President must sign appropriations bills to fund the departments and agencies that have been shut down. The President does not have the power to end a shutdown unilaterally. The funding bills follow the same legislative process as any other bill, requiring approval from both the House and Senate before the President can sign them into law.

Which federal facilities will be impacted by this government shutdown?

Among others, the following federal facilities may be affected in the event of a government shutdown:

-Military bases, arsenals, depots, and federal armories
-Veterans’ Affairs medical facilities
-Federal prisons and courthouses
-National laboratories
-National Park System facilities, National Forests, and other federally owned or managed lands
-Ports including seaports, airports, and intermodal terminals that may host federal customs processing facilities or law enforcement
-IRS facilities
-Law enforcement agencies like the FBI, ATF, DEA, or CBP
-General federal office buildings

Will your travel plans be impacted?

Many TSA and FAA employees are classified as essential workers and will continue typical operations. However, air travelers should anticipate longer wait times, delays, and possible cancellations due to staffing shortages caused by furloughs.

Visa and passport services are not expected to be directly affected by a government shutdown, as the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs are primarily funded through processing fees. However, if a funding shortfall were to occur, these agencies could experience disruptions in operations.

(With inputs from AP)