The government shutdown — what you need to know

Oct. 3 is Day Three of the federal government shutdown with two questions on everyone’s mind:  When will it end? And, How does this affect me?

U.S. Representative Jim Himes (D-Connecticut) is among those congressmen whose websites detail what the shutdown means. Here are some highlights from his website:

• Mail will still arrive. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown.
• If you receive Social Security, those direct deposits/checks are still going out, though there will be delays in the processing of new enrollees.
• Medicare, which is considered another “essential service,” remains up and running and seniors will continue to get their benefits.  (Medicaid, for those with low incomes or disabilities, will also continue.)
• For travelers, if you are planning a trip abroad and need a passport, obtaining one may be more difficult during the shutdown.
• There is also a risk of significant delays and longer wait times at airports nationwide, as air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and Customs and Border Patrol agents remain on the job but without pay.
• Similarly, all active-duty military personnel and many law enforcement officers remain at work without pay.
• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will stop many of its services, and you should expect delays in getting help.
• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will continue as normal for now but could be affected in the future as funds run out.
• National parks, zoos and museums are likely to be closed to visitors.
• The Small Business Administration is unable to accept, review or approve any new business loans at this time.

Both essential workers and the estimated 750,000 nonessential employees who have been furloughed — at a cost of $400 million a day, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) – are expected to be reimbursed once the government is up and running again. That is per the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, which Congress passed after the 2019-20 shutdown that resulted in $11 billion of reduced economic output, including $3 billion never recouped. Contractors are not guaranteed back pay. (Congress, however, still gets paid.)

Also in the mix:   President Donald J. Trump has signaled that some of the layoffs may become permanent if the Democrats don’t cooperate:

“We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible, that are bad for them and irreversible by them, like cutting vast numbers of people out, cutting things that they like, cutting programs that they like.”

It’s not clear if a suit to block such a move would be successful.

“It is very frustrating that Republicans, who control the House, Senate and the presidency – the three bodies necessary to fund the government – chose a policy of passing partisan bills instead of negotiating with Congressional Democrats, and thereby, triggering a government shutdown,” said George Latimer (D-New York), representing the 16th congressional district. “We are fighting to extend critical health-care tax credits that expire this year. Without action, premiums will increase by an average of $2,890 for 8,000 of our neighbors (according to Joint Economic Committee Democrats). This is unconscionable. Please know that we are doing everything we can to bring Congressional Republicans back to the negotiating table to reopen the federal government as soon as possible….”

The political risks of the shutdown aren’t just those of Democrats, who are also holding out over a desire for Congress take back the power of the purse.

“As expected, Americans are divided on this issue,”  said Isil Akbulut-Gok
associate professor of political science and global affairs at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, referring to the blame game. “However, according to a recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll, 38 % of Americans would hold Republicans responsible for the shutdown, while 27 % Americans would blame Democrats. Among the Independents, a larger share – 36% — blame Republicans, compared to 19 % who blame Democrats. Politically, it appears Republicans are taking a greater hit.”