Watch the Smithsonian “Giant Panda Cam” amid government shutdown
The Smithsonian National Zoo still runs live broadcasts of many animals despite the federal government shutdown.
The partial federal closure entered its eighth day on Wednesday, October 8th, with no visible signs of budget contracts between Democrats and Republicans yet.
Speaking to White House reporters on Tuesday, October 7, President Donald Trump threatened that some federal workers may not receive the repayment if Congress finally agreed to the funding package.
“We’re going to take care of our people,” he added. “There are people who really don’t deserve to be cared for, and we take care of them differently.” As for Democrats, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, a minority leader, ruled out the possibility of a closure when he told reporters that the one-year extension of the American Care Act subsidy was “non-starter” and “laughterful publicity.”
“Let’s go from there from a permanent expansion, and negotiation perspective,” Jeffries said.
Here’s what you need to know when the federal shutdown enters day 8:
Is the federal government still closed?
Yes, the federal government remains largely closed.
Salaries have been suspended for around 2 million federal workers, with around 750,000 people being ordered not to report jobs. Other employees, including military and air traffic controller employees, must work without compensation until they reach a budget contract.
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 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?
Over 13,000 air traffic controllers and approximately 50,000 transport security managers will need to appear at work during the closure. According to Reuters, the controller is set to receive a partial salary on October 14th for work done before the shutdown.
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.
What does shutdown mean to the military?
Two million active duty veterans will remain out of service until the budget impasse is resolved.
Approximately 55% of the Department of Defense’s 740,000 civilian employees, including those involved in training, procurement and management support, have been abandoned. Civilians working in cybersecurity, healthcare, weapons system maintenance, intelligence and logistics are still working.
The National Guard that Trump deployed in American cities must also continue to work.
What about homeland security, immigration, and border officials?
Only 5% of the Department of Homeland Security’s 271,000 workers have been abandoned, including those involved in research, planning, training and audits.
Secret Service agents, immigration and border officers, airport security guards, Coast Guard officials, and emergency workers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency remain at work.
The 15th shutdown since 1981 was the fourth-longest in US history, halting a six-day shutdown in 1995. The longest closure lasted 35 days in Trump’s first term from 2018 to 2019.
Contribution: Zac Anderson of USA Today, Joey Garrison, Bad Janssen and Zachary Screen; Reuters
