As Congressional leaders and the White House continue to negotiate in order to avoid a shutdown of the federal government at midnight tonight, NATA has compiled some general facts about what a shutdown of the federal government would mean to its member companies. Should you have questions, please contact Eric Byer.
Federal Government Shutdown: Key Facts
- Federal employees deemed non-essential, in other words those whose jobs don’t involve keeping the nation safe and operational, will be furloughed until Congress reaches an agreement on funding the federal government.
- “Essential” federal employees who work through the shutdown will not be paid until the government is up and running again. Each agency decides who these essential employees are, such as border patrol agents, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees, and Air Traffic Controllers, who will continue working.
- Military operations do not cease. However, troops will not get paid until the government reopens.
- Veterans will receive benefits, as the money to fund Veterans Affairs services is set aside a year in advance.
- Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security beneficiaries would continue to receive payments.
- The Internal Revenue Service would have to suspend tax audits, but the April tax deadline will remain unchanged. The paper processing of tax refunds will be halted during the shutdown.
- Government Web sites would stop updating information, and many White House staff members would be sent home.
- Federal small-business loans would cease.