WASHINGTON, D.C. – If the government shuts down, it could have a large impact on government services. Millions of federal employees could go without a paycheck, and non-essential services could close. Here’s how a shutdown could impact you:
If you want to visit a national park or a federal museum, those might be closed. Routine food inspections by the FDA would be impacted but inspections for things like meat, poultry and egg products would continue. If a shutdown lasts for more than a few days, WIC funds could run out of money.
There are some essential services that will continue: airport security and air traffic controllers would continue, as well as US Postal Service operations. Social Security and Medicare benefit checks will continue in a shutdown, however, some administrative services might take a little longer than expected.
The last shutdown lasted for nearly a month during President Trump’s first term. The Congressional Budget Office said by the time the government reopened, about three-billion in US economic activity was lost because of the shutdown.
“In general, during a government shutdown, the government decides what are critical needs and what are not, and some people will stay at work even though they will not get paid like TSA workers,” said Dr. Todd Belt, professor and director of political management master’s program at George Washington University. “Whereas other places will be shut down completely. The national parks and of course the Bureau of Labor Statistics, who are scheduled to be releasing new economic data, is very important for a lot of people. People are going to start feeling it really quick here.”
While millions of federal workers will go unpaid during a shutdown, members of congress will still get their paychecks.
