Open or closed? Here's how a government shutdown could impact you

Show Caption Hide Caption 3 ways the government shutdown may impact you A government shutdown could have an impact on everything from your passport application to your trip to a national park.

WASHINGTON — Congress tiptoed up to the brink of a federal government shutdown Friday night — and then fell over the edge.

The Senate failed to pass a short-term spending bill by midnight, meaning federal agencies are now operating without a budget.

Congress convened a rare Saturday session to try to hammer out a deal on a short-term spending bill to reopen the government, but those talks showed no signs of progress.

The shutdown initially has a limited impact because it is the weekend, and most government agencies aren't open anyway. But if the shutdown drags on, it could have a significant influence both on employees and people seeking government services.

Federal workers deemed “essential” have to stay on the job and key government functions — such as national security operations and law enforcement work — remain up and running. But anyone who is not essential has to stay home.

And federal contractors usually come first in a shutdown, so people working on government contracts may quickly find themselves sidelined.

Federal agencies have some leeway in deciding how to carry out a shutdown, but based on previous spending stalemates and statements from various agencies over the past few days, here's what you can expect:

Will troops get paid?

President Trump said in a tweet Tuesday the “biggest loser” in a government shutdown would be the military. It’s a talking point used by many congressional Republicans hoping to put Democrats on the spot by saying a shutdown would mean the troops don’t get paid.

But the military gets paid on the 1st and 15th of every month. So the troops just received a paycheck, and they wouldn’t be due for another one until Feb. 1.

That means military personnel would not suffer a lapse in pay unless a government shutdown lasted until the end of the month — or longer.

While active duty military personnel will continue going to work, most civilian Department of Defense employees not deemed essential would be furloughed, said Christopher Sherwood, a Pentagon spokesman.

Will I still get my Social Security benefits?

Yes. Social Security is a mandatory program that will continue even if Congress fails to pass a spending bill.

Will lawmakers close their offices?

It depends. In the past, individual members of Congress have reacted differently, with some closing their district offices and others leaving them open. During previous shutdowns, lawmakers were advised that they did not have to furlough aides they needed to write laws, help them vote, or communicate with their constituents. That gives members of Congress quite a bit of leeway.

Will I still be able to get a passport?

The State Department's passport services are funded partly by fees, which means it is not completely dependent on Congress for money and may be able to continue to issue passports for at least a short time. But if the stalemate drags on, your application could be delayed.

Will National Parks, monuments and Smithsonian museums be open?

You may still be able to visit your favorite national park or memorial, even if the government shutdown continues. The National Park Service said Thursday that war memorials and open air parks in the nation’s capital would remain open.

Additionally, many national parks, refuges and other public lands will have limited access wherever possible. Services that require staffing and maintenance, such as campgrounds, full service restrooms and concessions that require some park staff or assistance will not be operating.

The Smithsonian said Saturday that it has some left over money lying around from last year and it will use that to keep museums and the National Zoo open as long as it can.

Update: The Smithsonian, including its museums, research centers & the National Zoo, will be OPEN Monday, Jan. 22.



The Smithsonian can use prior year funds still available to us to do so. We will update our status beyond Monday as soon as we know. #governmentshutdown — Smithsonian (@smithsonian) January 20, 2018

Will travel be affected?

Probably not. Airports would remain open and air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officials would remain on the job. However, there could be some delays as "non-essential" employees are furloughed. You should also still be able to travel by train. Even though Amtrak depends on federal subsidies, it also gets revenue from ticket sales and has managed to stay open during past shutdowns.

How else could a shutdown impact me?

If you’re buying a home, you could face delays in closing. The Federal Housing Administration would halt new mortgage approvals if the government shutdown continues. Homebuyers could face other delays because lenders often ask the Internal Revenue Service to verify a potential buyer’s tax information before approving a new mortgage. Fifty-six percent of IRS workers are expected to be furloughed.

If you’re doing your taxes, you also could be affected by the IRS shutdown. The tax filing season opens in just a few days, yet many employers and taxpayers are still trying to understand the changes Congress made to the tax code late last year — the largest overhaul in three decades. But anyone with tax questions would not be able to get answers from the IRS. The agency’s helpline is expected to be closed.

The impact of a shutdown also will get worse the longer it lasts.

Secretary of education Betsy DeVos wrote in a shutdown planning memo that "A protracted delay in Department obligations and payments beyond one week would severely curtail the cash flow to school districts, colleges and universities and vocational rehabilitation agencies that depend on the Department’s funds to support their services."

So, somewhere some grade school kids are hoping for a really long shutdown and their parents are praying for a fast resolution.

More: White House: This shutdown won't be like previous shutdowns

More: The Ghost of Shutdowns Past haunts latest talks to keep the federal government open