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Congress has less than 12 hours to find a way to fund the federal government or risk shutting down multiple federal agencies and services. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers will be furloughed or sent home days before Christmas
Republicans on Wednesday abandoned a proposed bipartisan plan after President-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk voiced opposition. The Associated Press reported that President Trump has directed House Speaker Mike Johnson to renegotiate the deal days before the deadline for federal funding to run out.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declares state of emergency following bird flu outbreak
Here’s what you need to know:
What is a federal government shutdown?
Each year, Congress sets aside funds for federal agencies to use in the following fiscal year, according to the state’s Employment Development Department. Without a current federal budget, federal agencies must stop spending until a new budget is passed. This is known as a federal government shutdown.
What happens to federal employees during the government shutdown?
Federal employees are classified as either “essential” or “non-essential.”
Essential employees, those performing emergency work related to the safety of life, protection of property, or other exempt duties, will be required to report to work.
However, non-essential workers will be furloughed or placed on unpaid leave.
Which services/programs are affected?
The U.S. Constitution provides that the president continues to receive a salary during a government shutdown. Members of Congress will also continue to receive compensation. The Social Security Administration will continue distributing Social Security benefits to the elderly and disabled. However, insufficient funds may delay new charges or other customer service requests. Medicare claims will continue to be processed, but funding shortages may delay new applications, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and more. Veteran benefits such as education benefits, health benefits, disability compensation, and pension claims are not affected. All VA medical facilities and clinics will remain open, but VA call centers and hotlines are affected, except for the VA Crisis Line. Federal unemployment benefits will continue to be distributed to the California Employment Development Department. The U.S. Postal Service will continue to operate. U.S. military activities will be suspended, except for operations deemed necessary for national security. Current employees will continue to work as usual and will not be paid until Congress appropriates the funds. About half of the Pentagon’s 800,000 civilian employees will be furloughed. National parks, monuments and other sites will be closed to public access. Park management staff will also be furloughed. Some states may be able to spend money to keep parks and other places open. Officials from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and other federal law enforcement agencies, as well as prison staff, will continue to work. The Secret Service and Coast Guard continue operations. However, the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer protection and antitrust staff will be furloughed. Federal courts can remain open without Congressional funding, but depending on how long the shutdown lasts, they may eventually have to curtail their operations. The Supreme Court will remain open as well. Airport security screeners and air traffic control staff will be required to work, but absenteeism could be an issue, according to a breakdown by Reuters. U.S. embassies and consulates will remain open. Passport and visa processing will continue as long as sufficient fees are paid for the operations. Pell grants and student loans will continue to be disbursed, but may be disrupted as most Department of Education employees will be furloughed. The Internal Revenue Service will cease investigating and auditing tax returns and responding to taxpayer inquiries. Automatic tax collection will continue. About two-thirds of the IRS’s 90,000 employees will be furloughed.
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