Your federal government is officially shut down. Wonder how it all affects you? We’ve got everything you need to know about it in this special Saturday edition of CNN’s 5 Things newsletter. (You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox every weekday. Sign up here.)
Why is this happening? (again)
Democrats won’t vote for a spending bill until they get an agreement on a fix for DACA, the program that protects undocumented immigrants brought to the US as kids. Republicans won’t agree to a DACA fix unless the Dems give on some border security enhancements, including money for President Trump’s border wall. A top Dem agreed yesterday to put that issue on the table to try to avoid a shutdown. But obviously, it didn’t help. So, that’s where things stand, until somebody blinks.
How does this affect me?
It depends on who you are. If you’re a government employee, expect to be furloughed. More than 850,000, “non-essential” federal workers had to stay home during the last shutdown in 2013. If you’re active-duty military, you’ll stay on the job, but if this stretches into February, you likely won’t get paid.
How long will it last?
Nobody really knows. The House bill that passed Thursday would keep the lights on through February 16. Senators floated proposals late last night to keep the wheels turning for three or four more weeks, but none of those survived. Here’s how every senator voted. The Senate is due to be back in session today.
Will I still get my mail?
Yes, the men and women at the post office will carry on as usual, because the US Postal Service isn’t funded by taxpayer dollars.
Do I still have to deal with my taxes?
Of course! Though the bulk of IRS employees have been furloughed (just like they were in 2013), you’re still responsible for filing your tax return. And if you’re expecting a refund, it might well be delayed.
Will I get my Social Security check?
Yes, Social Security is considered an essential service, so the checks will continue to be issued during the shutdown. Food stamps also will continue to be funded.
What about kids’ health insurance?
Another key sticking point of this debate is funding the Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP. With the shutdown, 9 million children — whose parents usually earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford private health coverage — have less certainty about the future of their health care.
Will this affect my travels?
Probably not. Air traffic controllers, TSA agents, border patrol agents and others are considered essential employees providing essential services, so during a shutdown, they’ll keep working. Amtrak trains will keep running, as well, and the National Weather Service will keep monitoring the skies.
Will our astronauts have to come home?
No. Most of NASA will be on furlough, like it was during the 2013 shutdown, but a small skeleton crew will stick around to keep US astronauts safe in space.
Can I get a gun permit?
Probably not until the shutdown is over because a lot of employees at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives won’t be working.
I live in DC. Should I be worried?
Maybe. Your city’s budget is tied up with the federal budget. But policies have changed since the last shutdown, and your mayor on Friday vowed that city services — including garbage pickup — won’t be put on indefinite hold.
Can I go to a national park?
Probably not. The national parks, along with national monuments, will be closed, but the Trump administration says it hopes to keep the gates to some parks open.
What about the National Zoo?
You’ll able to visit the National Zoo, as well as Smithsonian museums, if you go this weekend. But the zoo and the museums will be closed starting on Monday. And the zoo’s popular panda cam will be shut down, too. No, really.
Does Congress still get paid?
Well, of course. The President — who marks one year in office TODAY — continues to get paid, too. It’s written in the law.
How will this end?
Like we said earlier, somebody has to blink. And the side that blinks will probably be the one that gets most of the blame for this political fiasco, too. It’s worth noting: This is the first modern government shutdown with Congress and the White House controlled by the same party.
NUMBERS OF THE DAY
18
The number of government shutdowns since 1976
$2 billion
That’s how much was lost in productivity during the last government shutdown in 2013. Two earlier ones — in late 1995 and early 1996 — cost the country $1.4 billion.
QUOTES OF THE DAY
“This shutdown was avoidable.”
Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris of California
“A government shutdown represents the ultimate failure to govern.”
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine