WASHINGTON (AP) – The current partial government shutdown is quite different from the record-breaking closure that happened last fall.
This time, which began on Saturday, doesn’t involve the entire government and might not last long, even as it stretches into a new week.
The House had aimed to swiftly pass funding legislation when lawmakers return Monday evening, which would have put an end to the shutdown. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., now mentions he hopes to have the package reviewed “at least by Tuesday” as he works to gather votes while Democrats seek more substantial changes to immigration enforcement.
Congress has already passed half of this year’s funding bills, ensuring several key federal agencies and programs can keep running through September. For instance, nutrition assistance programs should remain unaffected.
Funding is running out temporarily for the Pentagon and agencies like the departments of Homeland Security and Transportation. While essential functions are still happening, workers may go unpaid if the deadlock continues. Some could face furloughs.
If needed operations are halted-including writing or renewing National Flood Insurance Program policies-as seen during last year’s lengthy 43-day shutdown-there’s potential for disruptions impacting travelers again: One pending spending bill covers transportation-related activities including air traffic control systems.
While air traffic controllers would still report for duty amid budget constraints-they would do so without pay until new funds are approved.
,; This situation won’t cause major issues at State Department offices either domestically or overseas., .....– Department staff received notifications indicating passport processing will proceed uninterrupted alongside consular functions continuing normally but some less critical tasks like non-emergency alerts might be affected. However , nearly 19 ,000 out 27 ,206 direct hire American employees remain exempted from possible furloughs throughout any ongoing delays.;Will SNAP  ; and other food assistance programs be affected ?
No. This represents a significant change compared with prior fall closures where many individuals struggled without adequate help provided via Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP ) throughout final weeks spent waiting resolution. The legislation restoring previous operations has allocated necessary resources covering USDA-related initiatives all way until completion fiscal calendar ending September 30 th.
Consequently recipients receiving full SNAP benefits uninterrupted-a program catering roughly 42 million Americans belonging lower income households averaging $190 monthly per person support
Another essential initiative fully funded through budgetary period remains Women , Infants Children supplemental nutrition program known WIC providing pregnant women young children healthy food nutritional guidance.
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Kinnard reported from Columbia , S. C., reachable via http://x. com/Meg Kinnard AP. AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed report here too !
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Why is there another shutdown?
The process for government funding was moving along smoothly, with important lawmakers in both the House and Senate reaching bipartisan agreements. But things shifted after two U. S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renée Good, were fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis this month. Democrats were outraged by Pretti’s death and insisted that one of the six remaining funding bills for DHS and its related agencies be removed from the package approved by the House. They argued that this bill needs to include modifications to immigration enforcement policies such as a code of conduct for federal agents and requirements for officers to show identification. Aiming to prevent another shutdown, President Donald Trump’s administration made a deal with Democrats to temporarily fund DHS at existing levels for two weeks while negotiations continue. The Senate passed a five-bill funding package on Friday; however, it needs to be approved by the House again before it becomes law. Since the House isn’t returning until Monday, parts of government will face temporary funding lapses. “I’m confident that we’ll do it at least by Tuesday,” Johnson stated during NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday.Have there been previous brief or weekend shutdowns?
Yes; generally speaking, these instances didn’t significantly affect anyone trying to access government services. <p There were a few during Trump’s first term in office. In January 2018, a disagreement over immigration protections led to a weekend shutdown. Some federal employees were furloughed or worked without pay during that period. Benefits like Social Security and Medicare continued without interruption; many people didn’t notice any impact from the shutdown since federal offices reopened that following Monday after an agreement was reached. A brief shutdown occurred in February 2018 lasting about nine hours overnight-it was so short most people did not perceive any effects. Although agencies technically shut down when funds ran out, it was such a fleeting moment that furlough notices weren’t fully distributed and nothing closed during business hours.What funding is impacted?
The lapse in funding affects both Pentagon operations as well as agencies such as Transportation Department and DHS-this includes FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). Experts indicate that FEMA should have sufficient funds available-around $7 billion to $8 billion-for responding to large winter storms currently affecting significant areas of the country. An extended shutdown could strain those resources further if FEMA needs additional response capabilities due to new disasters arising.If needed operations are halted-including writing or renewing National Flood Insurance Program policies-as seen during last year’s lengthy 43-day shutdown-there’s potential for disruptions impacting travelers again: One pending spending bill covers transportation-related activities including air traffic control systems.
While air traffic controllers would still report for duty amid budget constraints-they would do so without pay until new funds are approved.
,; This situation won’t cause major issues at State Department offices either domestically or overseas., .....– Department staff received notifications indicating passport processing will proceed uninterrupted alongside consular functions continuing normally but some less critical tasks like non-emergency alerts might be affected. However , nearly 19 ,000 out 27 ,206 direct hire American employees remain exempted from possible furloughs throughout any ongoing delays.;
