As Republicans shuffle to Capitol Hill Accepting the new government funding agreementmany federal workers are now in limbo waiting to see how the government shuts down they would have an effect with the holidays around the corner.
According to past government estimates, about 3.5 million federal workers could go without pay this holiday season until a deal is passed; many of them, like airport security officers, will have to show up for work anyway. Others could be told to stay home and not work.
A U.S. General Services Administration payroll schedule shows some federal workers could lose pay as soon as Jan. 3 if a deal isn’t reached by then.
In this Jan. 21, 2018, file photo, signs are posted outside the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, informing visitors that all Library of Congress buildings will be closed to the public during a temporary government shutdown.
Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP
Federal contractors are not required to work and are also not guaranteed back pay for the duration of the shutdown.
Since fiscal year 1977, there have been 20 financial gaps, ranging from 1 day to 34 full days. If the government shuts down at 12:01 am on Saturday, it would be the 21st shutdown.
Below is a snapshot of the impact a blackout could have on millions of Americans across the country.
Influence on the military
The 1.3 million active-duty service members would still have to work, but without subsidies until a funding deal is approved. Normally, half of the Defense Department’s 700,000 civilian employees would be expected to continue working without pay.
Generally, contractors are not required to work and lose wages for the duration of the shutdown.
Impact on travel
The shutdown would come just as many Americans are traveling for the holidays — on the busiest travel days of the year.
In this Jan. 22, 2019, file photo, people line up for food donations at chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen, which provides free meals and supplies to federal workers affected by the partial government shutdown, in Washington, DC.
Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images, FILE
The Transportation Security Administration says about 59,000 of the agency’s more than 62,000 employees are considered non-essential and would continue to work without pay in the event of a shutdown.
The TSA says the agency expects to screen 40 million holiday travelers through Jan. 2.
“While our employees are prepared to handle high volumes of travelers and ensure safe travel, please be aware that an extended closure may result in longer wait times at airports,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske. said in X.
Nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers were expected to work without pay, and the hiring and training of new air traffic controllers would be halted during the shutdown, according to the latest planning document from the Department for Transport.
It is worth mentioning the air controllers participated in ending the government shutdown In 2019, several workers called in sick on the same day, snarling air traffic. Then-President Donald Trump announced the deal to temporarily reopen the government on the same day.
Impact on the border
60,971 U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees and 17,575 Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees will be required to work without pay during a shutdown, according to the Department of Homeland Security’s latest planning document.
Would closing affect Social Security?
Because they are considered “mandatory” expenses, Social Security and Medicare payments will continue to arrive in mailboxes, even as the agencies warn that services may be slowed.
Can the holiday message make an impact?
The US Postal Service will also not be affected because it is an independent agency and relies on its own revenue stream.
Other impacts Americans can see
In this Jan. 2, 2019, file photo, a sign announcing that Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are closed due to a partial government shutdown is seen at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC.
Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE
Given that the shutdown would begin on a Saturday, many Americans wouldn’t really feel the impact of a shutdown until Monday.
The National Park Service said it “remains hopeful that a shortfall in government funding will not occur,” but if it does, “regular visitor services will be available through Sunday.” They are still working to review the agency’s contingency plan and determine specifications for individual parks.
The Smithsonian Institution, which operates 21 museums and the National Zoo in Washington, DC, anticipated the announcement on Friday with further guidance on the impact of the closings, a spokeswoman told ABC News.
