Government Shutdown: What Will Stay Open and What Will Close?

Due to continued disagreement over federal funding, certain so-called “non-essential” federal government activities have been shut down. Congress is continuing to work to reach a compromise and I am hopeful that we can resolve our differences soon. But in the meantime, I wanted to provide you with some information that may be of help.

I understand that a government shutdown can be a frustrating time. I want to assure you that making sure my constituents’ needs are met and views are heard is an essential operation of my office. Despite the temporary federal government shutdown, staff in both my Texas and Washington, D.C. offices are available to take calls and handle casework for any constituents. If you have any questions or concerns regarding how the government shutdown may affect you, please contact my office at 202-225-4236 or check my website for updates at lamarsmith.house.gov.

Federal Agencies/Operations that will remain OPEN:

• Military personnel will continue to be paid. This past weekend, the House passed and the President signed the Pay Our Military Act (H.R. 3210) to ensure that U.S. military personnel will continue to be paid during the shutdown. The bill also ensures the continued pay for civilian employees of the Department of Defense and Pentagon contractors whom the Defense Secretary determines are providing support to members of the Armed Services.
• The FAA (air traffic controllers), FBI, DEA, federal courts, and the Federal Reserve will operate normally.
• Homeland Security and national security related operations will continue.
• The U.S. Post Office will remain open and you will continue to be able to send and receive mail as normal.
• Social Security checks and benefits will still go out.
• Medical services to veterans will continue.
• Compensation benefits for veterans for service or combat-related wounds and injuries will still be paid.
• Obamacare will continue to be implemented because like Social Security or Medicaid, it isn’t subject to annual funding by Congress.
• Unemployment benefits will continue to be paid.
• Food stamps will still be available through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• The IRS will continue to collect taxes; however other functions of the IRS will stop or slow, including some audits.
• The FDA will continue meat inspections; however other food inspections will be slowed, limited or stopped due to furloughs.

Federal Agencies/Operations that will CLOSE:

• The Department of Interior will largely be shutdown. So national parks, Smithsonian museums, and the National Zoo will be closed.
• The Departments of Labor, Energy, Commerce, HUD and the EPA will be closed.
• Most of NASA will be closed, however some staff at mission control will remain to ensure the safety of astronauts at the International Space Station.