What closes, what remains open? By Reuters

By Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. government services would be disrupted and hundreds of thousands of federal workers told not to work if Congress fails to extend funding after Oct. 1. Workers deemed essential will remain at work. All federal employees’ pay could be disrupted during a shutdown, although they will receive retroactive pay once government operations resume.

Here’s a guide to what would stay open and what would close, according to the agency’s closure plans unveiled last year:

WHEN AND WHY WOULD THE GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN?

Congress writes detailed spending legislation for most U.S. government agencies each year, but rarely gets the job done before the fiscal year begins on Oct. 1. Legislators typically pass open-ended spending bills to avoid stalling for weeks or months while they finish their work. but there is often a fair amount of drama involved.

This year, Republicans who control the House of Representatives say any reserve spending bill must include legislation that would tighten voting laws to prevent non-citizens from participating in the Nov. 5 election. Non-citizens are already barred by law from voting, and Democrats who hold the Senate majority oppose it as a voter suppression effort.

If the two sides do not resolve their differences before October 1, large parts of the government would be without money to continue operations.

IS THE MAIL DELIVERED IF THE GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN?

The US Postal Service would be unaffected because it does not depend on Congress for funding.

WHAT HAPPENS TO SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE AND OTHER BENEFITS?

The Social Security Administration will continue to issue retirement and disability benefits.

Payments would also continue under the Medicare and Medicaid health care programs.

Military veterans’ benefits and health care would also continue.

Food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other nutrition programs would continue, although they may be disrupted to some extent.

WHAT DOES A STOP FOR THE MILITARY MEAN?

The 2 million US military personnel will remain at their posts, but about half of the Pentagon’s 800,000 civilian employees would be furloughed – with orders not to work.

Contracts awarded before the shutdown would continue, and the Pentagon could place new orders for goods or services needed to protect national security. Other new contracts, including renewals or extensions, will not be awarded.

Payments to defense contractors such as Boeing (NYSE: ), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: ) and RTX, formerly known as Raytheon (NYSE: ), could be delayed.

The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration will continue to maintain nuclear weapons.

HOW DOES A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AFFECT LAW ENFORCEMENT?

Agents from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and other federal law enforcement agencies will remain on the job, and prison staff will continue to work.

The Secret Service and Coast Guard would also continue operations, and most employees would continue to work.

Most of the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer protection workers would be laid off, as would half of its antitrust staff.

WILL THE NATIONAL PARK CLOSE DURING THE STOP?

National parks, monuments and other sites would be closed to the public, although it will be impossible to keep visitors away from many of them. Rangers would be fired and restrooms, help desks and other facilities would be closed.

Some states can use their own money to keep parks and other sites open, as happened in the 2018-2019 shutdown.

Firefighting efforts would continue, although timber sales on national forest lands would be reduced and fewer recreation permits would be issued.

WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH BORDERS AND INTERNAL SECURITY?

Most border and immigration agents would continue to work, as would most customs officers.

Local authorities would receive no new aid to house migrants.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency would suspend security reviews that help schools, local governments and other institutions defend against ransomware.

WILL THE FEDERAL COURTS BE OPEN DURING THE SHUTDOWN?

Federal courts could operate for a few weeks without congressional funding, relying on taxes and other funds, but eventually would have to scale back. The Supreme Court would also remain open.

Criminal proceedings will continue. Most civil litigation would be postponed.

IS CONGRESS STILL PAID?

Lawmakers would continue to collect paychecks even if other federal workers do not. Staff would not be paid, although those deemed essential would have to work.

SHUTDOWN IMPACT TRANSPORTATION?

Airport security screeners and air traffic control workers are expected to work, according to recent contingency plans, although absenteeism could be a problem. Some airports were forced to suspend operations during a shutdown in 2019 when air traffic controllers called in sick.

The Transportation Security Administration would not be able to hire new airport security officers during the busy holiday travel season.

Some major infrastructure projects could face delays because environmental reviews and permits would be disrupted, according to the White House.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT ON FOREIGN BUSINESS?

US embassies and consulates would remain open. Passport and visa processing would continue as long as there were sufficient fees to cover the operations. Non-essential official travel, speeches and other events would be curtailed.

Some foreign aid programs could also run out of money.

WOULD A SHUTDOWN STOP SCIENCE?

Scientific research would be disrupted as agencies like the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration would lay off most of their workers once they run out of funding.

NASA will continue to support the International Space Station and track satellites, but 17,000 of its 18,300 employees would be laid off.

Weather forecasting and fisheries regulation will continue, as will patent and trademark reviews.

The Federal Communications Commission would suspend consumer protection activities, equipment reviews and licensing of TV and radio stations. It would continue to distribute subsidies for telecommunications and its broadband mapping effort.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE HEALTH PROGRAMS?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will continue to monitor disease outbreaks, although other public health activities could suffer as more than half of the agency’s employees would be laid off.

The National Institutes of Health will lay off most of its staff and postpone new clinical trials for medical treatments.

Healthcare services for military veterans and Native Americans would continue.

Most inspections of hazardous waste sites and drinking water and chemical facilities would stop.

Food safety inspections by the Food and Drug Administration may be delayed. However, FDA testing of new drugs and medical devices will continue.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE SEC AND THE FINANCIAL REGULATION?

The Securities and Exchange Commission will lay off about 90 percent of its 4,600 employees and suspend most operations, it said last year, leaving only a skeleton staff to respond to emergencies.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission would also lay off nearly all of its employees and cease most of its oversight work.

The Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency would continue as normal because they are funded by industry taxes rather than congressional appropriations.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, an industry-funded brokerage watchdog, will continue to operate.

The Treasury Department will continue to issue debt and manage the government’s cash position.

STOP DELAY KEY ECONOMIC DATA?

The release of major US economic data, including employment and inflation reports critical to policymakers and investors, would be suspended.

WILL THE IRS REMAIN OPEN DURING THE SHUTDOWN?

The Internal Revenue Service would stop reviewing and auditing tax returns and answering taxpayer questions. Automatic tax collection will continue, as will the processing of Green Energy Tax Credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. About two-thirds of the agency’s 90,000 employees would be laid off.

DOES THE SHUTDOWN AFFECT EDUCATION?

Pell grants and student loans would continue to be paid, but could be disrupted as most Department of Education employees would be laid off.

A prolonged shutdown could “drastically reduce” aid to schools, universities and other educational institutions, the department said last year. It could also delay funds due later in the year.

WHAT HAPPENS TO HEAD START AND CHILDREN’S RENTAL?

The White House said last year that 10,000 children from low-income families would lose access to the Head Start preschool program.

IS THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AFFECTING SMALL BUSINESSES?

The Small Business Administration would not be able to make new loans, although loans to businesses affected by natural disasters would continue.

HOW DOES A SHUTDOWN AFFECT FARMERS?

Meat and egg inspections would continue, but some laboratory services would be disrupted, making the fight against animal diseases more difficult. Crop insurance would not be affected, but some loan programs would be. Research, conservation and rural development programs would be closed.

DOES SHUTDOWN AFFECT WORKPLACE SAFETY?

Workplace safety inspections would be limited and investigations into unfair pay practices would be suspended.

The National Labor Relations Board’s ability to mediate labor disputes would be reduced as nearly all of its 1,200 employees would be laid off, according to a 2022 plan.

HOW DOES A SHUTDOWN AFFECT HOUSING?

Monthly subsidies for public housing and low-income housing assistance would be at risk. The Federal Housing Administration will continue to support insured mortgages and Ginnie Mae will continue to support the secondary mortgage market. New home buyers in rural areas would not be able to get loans from the Department of Agriculture.

HOW WOULD A SHUTDOWN AFFECT THE WHITE HOUSE?

In the 2018-2019 shutdown, the White House laid off 1,100 of 1,800 employees in the Executive Office of the President. Some offices, such as the National Security Council, continued at full capacity, while others, such as the Office of Management and Budget, were cut sharply.

The US Constitution states that the president continues to be paid.