Operations and Protocols for Government Shutdown

The following is from Congressman Frank LoBiondo’s website regarding the shutdown. LoBiondo addresses his wishes to forego his payment during the duration of the shutdown and answers some frequently asked questions about the shutdown.
“Due to an ongoing budget stalemate between Congress and the Obama Administration, at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday Oct. 1, the U.S. federal government shut down. Until a compromise solution is approved by Congress and signed by the President into law, the shutdown will remain in effect.
For the duration of a government shutdown, I WILL NOT accept any pay.
For the duration of the shutdown, my Congressional offices in Mays Landing and Washington will remain open with a reduced staff. Additionally, many federal government departments and functions will not be available during the shutdown. For answers on many routine services and common questions, please consult the Frequently Asked Questions below:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
-Will Congressman LoBiondo’s offices in Mays Landing and Washington, D.C. be open?
While there will be “essential” staff on hand at both offices per guidance by the U.S. House of Representatives, their abilities to assist 2nd Congressional District residents with issues relating to the federal government will be severely limited due to the shutdown.
-Will my Social Security checks be issued?
Social Security payments should continue to current beneficiaries. New applicants and those who have recently submitted a change of address/direct deposit slip, or other changes may be affected.
-Will I still receive Medicare and Medicaid benefits?
According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), current Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and providers should not be affected by a government shutdown. Medicare has 30 days to pay providers and payments. For new enrollees, they will likely not be processed or able to enroll in Medicare. Since Medicaid is a state-run program, and the funds are paid in advance to the states by the federal government, new enrollment would likely continue. CRS did detail that the agencies have considerable discretion when it comes to how it will continue to run.
-Will my medical services provided through the VA be affected?
No. The VA’s medical services, medical facilities, and medical support & compliance accounts will not have a disruption in their services. However, other services including VA call centers and hotlines, decisions on claims appeals or motions by the Board of Veterans Appeals, recruiting and hiring of veteran job applicants, VA Secretary correspondences with veterans and VSOs, and outreach and public awareness activities will be impacted.
-Will my passport or visa application be affected?
Yes. The processing of passports and visa applications will stop until the federal government reopens.
-Will the postal service still deliver mail?
Mail services will still continue as normal.
-Will military personnel be paid?
Yes. Congress approved and President Obama signed into law an order that ensures active duty military and select “essential” civilian personnel are paid on-time despite the shutdown. The 1998 guidance on a shutdown directs that “All military personnel shall continue to report for duty.” Not all units will continue to operate, however, and military personnel may be assigned to other than their regular duties.
-Will the FAA Technical Center and NEXTGEN project be affected?
Yes. Non-essential personnel at the FAA Technical Center will be furloughed, including those working on the NEXTGEN project. Essential personnel, including those who assist in air traffic control systems across the country, will report to duty.
-Will local Coast Guard operations (i.e. search and rescue) be shutdown?
The Coast Guard will continue activities otherwise authorized by law that provide for national security or that protect life and property. The Coast Guard will continue to maintain its readiness status, respond to incidents and homeland security threats, and conduct Search and Rescue activity. Some activities such as routine patrols and inspections may be cancelled or curtailed.
-Will security operations at airports, nuclear facilities, U.S. borders and military installations continue?
Yes, essential security and monitoring personnel will continue to perform their duties, including law enforcement/security personnel, air traffic controllers etc. Additionally, personnel at the National Weather Service who perform essential services dealing with public safety such as warning forecasts for severe weather, fire weather services, ongoing flood monitoring etc., will be maintained.
-Will the public have access to federal buildings/properties?
Generally-speaking, all federal properties will be closed to the public and non-essential personal. Essential maintenance and security services will continue. This will mean closures of courthouses (yet courts and other essential offices will be open only for emergencies) and other government properties to the public.
-Our family is planning on visiting Washington, D.C. next week. Will your office be able to help us with tours? Will Smithsonian museums be open?
No. Unfortunately, the Capitol Visitor Center, all federal museums and federal buildings will be closed. Once the federal government shutdown ends, my office will again be able to assist with scheduling tours.
-Will scheduled beach replenishment, highway projects and other federally-funded initiatives be stopped or canceled?
If contracts have been awarded, then the funding is in place and the work will proceed as planned.
-Will Sandy-related flood insurance claims and FEMA operations be stopped or canceled?
FEMA operations and the National Flood Insurance Program were funded under the Sandy Emergency Supplemental Aid bill and, thus, not impacted. Those currently receiving claims or awarded grants will proceed until the funding is exhausted. However, federal employees who process applicants or oversee these programs may be furloughed and thus impacted.
-Will government websites have current information despite the federal shutdown?
No. As federal departments and agencies will be shutdown, information available on their respective websites will not be the most current available. Individuals needing information are encouraged to call 1-800-FED-INFO (1-800-333-4636) where information specialists are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST to answer questions. This call center will be open despite the shutdown.
-How long will the government shutdown last?
Until there is a budget solution passed by Congress and signed by the President. For perspective, the last federal government shutdowns were in 1995 & 1996 during the Clinton Administration. At that time, there were two separate shutdowns: 5 days (from November 14 through November 19, 1995) and 21 days (from December 16, 1995, to January 6, 1996).”
For more information, visit LoBiondo’s website at:
http://lobiondo.house.gov/