Government shutdown continues, Senate votes fail
The government remains closed over the weekend. The two Democrats and independents voted to end the closure, but a 54-44 vote shortened Republicans.
The partial federal closure entered its fifth day on Sunday, October 5, after closing many of its operations shortly after midnight on Wednesday, October 5th.
President Donald Trump hopes Democrats will support the Republican plan to restore government funding. So far, Senate leaders have not been able to win the 60 votes needed to pass the bill. This means that government closures will continue until at least Monday, October 6th.
Salaries have been suspended for around 2 million federal workers, with around 750,000 people being ordered not to work, and others, such as troops and air traffic controllers, must work without pay.
Is the federal government still closed?
Yes, the federal government remains partially closed.
The ongoing closure ranks fifth-longest in US history. Senate Democrats, who are calling for a permanent extension of federal grants to help people get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, have voted four times for the funding bill. Republicans say issues should be addressed separately.
What about Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid?
The Social Security Administration will continue to issue retirement and disability benefits, but it will hit 12% of staff and suspend marketing campaigns, according to agency closure plans.
Similarly, payments will continue under the Medicare and Medicaid health programs.
Will food aid continue under SNAP and WIC?
According to a closure planning plan document issued by the US Department of Agriculture, special supplementary nutrition programs for women, infants and children known as WIC, and special supplementary nutrition programs for women, infants and children known as WIC, will continue with special supplementary nutrition programs known as WIC, and special supplementary nutrition programs for women, infants and children.
Will US email be sent?
USPS said in a statement that the USPS would not be affected because it does not rely on Congress. The post office is open.
How about the airport?
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, more than 13,000 air traffic controllers will continue to work unpaid until the closure ends. Most TSA employees will continue to work, according to the agency’s statement.
What does shutdown mean to the military?
Based on an executive order from Trump, the newly appointed War Department statement reveals that 2 million US military personnel will remain unpaid until the closure ends, but officially the Department of Defense unless Congress officially changes his name.
The National Guard that Trump deployed in American cities must also continue to work.
What about law enforcement, borders, and homeland security?
Agents from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Bureau, the Coast Guard and other federal law enforcement agencies will continue to work.
Department of Justice staff administering the immigration court system will mostly remain at work, as Trump declared illegal immigration as a national emergency.
According to the Department of Homeland Security’s closure strategy, Border Patrol and immigration enforcement agents, like most customs officials, will remain in their posts.
Contributors: Natalie Neysa Alund, Joey Garrison, Bart Jansen, Melina Khan, Sudiksha Kochi, Sarah D. Wire of USA Today; and Reuters
