Demonrats Press Conference on the Government Shutdown - RANT INCOMING

The federal government may enter a shutdown beginning at 12:01 am on Sunday, October 1, 2023, if there is a lapse in federal government funding.

Congressman Evans is working to fund the federal government and prevent a shutdown, but in the event of a lapse in federal funding, our DC and district offices will be open and available to assist you and your family.

Below are some frequently asked questions about a shutdown, and you can also call our district offices at (215) 276-0340 or (215) 254-3400 or our DC office at (202) 225-4001 with questions or to share your thoughts. For constituent services (passports, IRS, immigration, VA casework), call either Philadelphia office: (215) 276-0340 or (215) 254-3400.

WHAT IS A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN?

According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), “when federal government agencies and programs lack budget authority after the expiration of either full-year or interim appropriations, they experience a ‘funding gap.’ Under the Antideficiency Act (31 U.S.C. §§1341 et seq.), they must cease operations, except in certain circumstances when continued activities are authorized by law. When there is a funding gap that affects many federal entities, the situation is often referred to as a government shutdown.”

I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH A FEDERAL AGENCY, CAN I STILL CALL THEM FOR HELP? CAN YOU HELP ME INSTEAD?

During a federal government shutdown, many federal departments and agencies furlough workers, so their help desks may have little or no staffing.

You can contact our office to open a case for you, and we can contact an agency on your behalf and provide you with updates if they are open or when they re-open at the conclusion of a shutdown.

During a shutdown, our office will continue to submit inquiries to federal agencies including requesting updates on constituents’ behalf, submitting paperwork, and opening new cases, and we will provide you with an update as soon as it is available.

WILL I CONTINUE TO RECEIVE MY SOCIAL SECURITY?

A shutdown will not impact Social Security benefit payments but be aware that new benefit verification and card issuance services have ceased, meaning new recipients may see delays in processing their claims.

WILL MEDICARE OR MEDICAID BE INTERRUPTED?

Medicare and Medicaid would continue during a federal government shutdown, but you may experience difficulty reaching these agencies as some employees are furloughed. The Medicare open enrollment period running from October 15 through December 7 would be unaffected, although communications from the agency may be stalled or outdated.

DO MILITARY PERSONNEL CONTINUE WORKING?

The Department of Defense will continue defending our nation and all military personnel will continue their usual duty. However, servicemembers would not receive pay during a shutdown.

CAN VETERANS STILL GET TREATMENT AT THE VA OR ACCESS OTHER SERVICES?

All functions within the Veterans Health Administration will continue and veterans will continue to receive compensation and pension claims.

WILL OPEN ENROLLMENT ON HEALTHCARE.GOV STILL TAKE PLACE?

The Federal Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment would be unaffected. Open Enrollment will proceed as normal from November 1 through January 15.

SHOULD I CANCEL UPCOMING TRAVEL?

You can and should continue to enjoy your travel plans. TSA officers and air traffic controllers are considered essential and will report to work throughout a shutdown. However, both TSA officers and air traffic controllers would work without pay during a shutdown, so please have patience with any delays.

Passport applications will continue to be processed during a shutdown. The Bureau of Consular Affairs/Passport Services is designated as an essential service provider and is funded through passport fees, so all of Passport Services, including agencies and the National Passport Information Center, will remain open during a shutdown.

All services at international embassies and consulates will continue during a shutdown. If you are abroad and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

WILL STUDENT LOANS CONTINUE TO BE DISBURSED?

Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans will continue to be obligated and disbursed during a shutdown, but only as long as carryover and mandatory appropriations last. However, department staff needed to carry out and support these functions are significantly reduced during a shutdown. Free Applications for Student Aids (FAFSA), Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans could continue for a “very limited time” under a shutdown. If the shutdown continues for an extended period of time, school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages due to lapsed federal funding.

DOES USPS STILL DELIVER MAIL?

All services under the U.S. Postal Service will continue during a government shutdown.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES?

A federal government shutdown would impact federal loans to small businesses. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will not accept, review or approve any new business loans for small businesses.

I'M COMING TO DC - WILL MY TOURS STILL TAKE PLACE?

Unfortunately, tour guides and visitor centers of federal government buildings are considered non-essential and will be closed during a shutdown. This means that all tours of the U.S. Capitol, White House, and FBI Building will be canceled during a shutdown.

WILL IMMIGRATION APPLICATIONS STILL BE PROCESSED?

Visa and passport operations are fee-funded and thus are not normally impacted by a shutdown. Immigration court cases on the detained docket will proceed during a lapse in congressional appropriations while non-detained docket cases will be reset for a later date when funding resumes. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement will retain the vast majority of their employees during a shutdown.