“No fear”: Residents respond to government closures
President Trump and Congressional Democrats are denounced against each other for the lack of agreement that led to the federal government being shut down.
The partial federal closure continued to operate, and only important services continued, on Friday, October 3, after much of its operation was closed shortly after midnight on Wednesday, October 3, after Congress failed to enter into a funding agreement.
At this point, the salaries of around 2 million federal workers have been suspended, with around 750,000 people being ordered not to do their jobs, and they will need to work unpaid, including military and border patrol agents.
How to follow the latest information on government closures
USA Today follows the shutdown via its daily live blog. Find stories about the effects of shutdowns and everything you need to know below.
Is the federal government still closed?
Yes, the federal government remains partially closed.
The Senate is expected to be convened later that day, with majority leader John Tune (R-ND) going to make his next attempt to pass another spending bill.
President Donald Trump’s Republicans have a majority in both Congresses, but Senate rules mean that they need at least seven Democrats’ votes to pass the funding bill.
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: Saman Shafiq, Melina Kahn, Sarah D. Wire, USA Today;
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter at USA Today. Contact her at nalund @usatoday.com and follow her at x @nataliealund.
