The federal government has closed. What's open, what is closed, which is different

MICHAEL COLLINS
Updated 8 hours ago



A government shutdown Could have an impact on everything from your passport application to Those beloved Panda cams.
USA TODAY


WASHINGTON - The federal government ran out of funds at midnight, but it may have been not noticed.
In fact, it may take several days before the public perceive completely the full impact of the closure.

The facade of the Capitol building in Washington, DC
GETTY IMAGES
Government agencies began the process of closing at midnight on Friday after Congress failed to pass a spending bill to keep them running. But not all government employees were sent home.

Federal workers who are considered "essential" are still at work, and key government functions such as national security operations and the work of law enforcement, continue to operate.


Other agencies have residual funds that remain operational for several days. But if the closure continues, they too could run out of money and close their doors.
Here is a look at what you can expect during the government shutdown of 2018:
What is open?

Mail still being delivered, Social Security checks are still being processed, programs Medicare and Medicaid are still in operation, and veterans hospitals are still running.

National monuments remain accessible as portions of many national parks. The museums of the Smithsonian Institution and the National Zoo are open at the moment, but could close as early as Monday.

Airports are still in operation, and air traffic controllers and officials Transportation Security Administration are still at work. But you might have some delays if traveling because the "non - essential" employees will be laid off.


You can also travel by train. Although Amtrak depends on federal subsidies, also has income from ticket sales and has managed to stay open during previous closures.

What it is closed?
Only "essential" government employees will report to work, so most federal agencies and departments are closed for now.

It is expected that the IRS, for example, release 87% of their workers, which means that most agency programs are closed. That includes helplines agency, which during closing off a potential for taxpayers seeking guidance on massive changes this year problem.

Most employees of other departments and agencies such as the Department of Education, the National Board of Transportation Safety and Safety Commission Consumer Product, are suspended, which means that investigations and ongoing programs be suspended temporarily.


The Environmental Protection Agency is open, but only for a limited time. EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, advised all employees to return to work next week, but said more guidelines will be issued for the closure extends beyond 26 January.

What is different?
The big difference this time is that the monuments and parts of most national parks remain open during the closure.

During the last closing in 2013, the Obama administration closed the entrances to the park and raised barriers around national monuments. The policy sparked a public outcry when veterans were refused the Monument to World War II in Washington.

Trump and his team do not want to repeat that fiasco. Most roads and monuments of national parks and private concessions that serve them are open this time.


Services that require staff and maintenance, such as camps, full-service bathrooms and concessions that require personal or assistance park will not work, said the Interior Department.



The US government shut down at midnight after Congress failed to resolve a standoff over immigration and partisan spending. In a late-night vote, Senate Democrats ... Show more
AP
More: There is no immediate resolution to pass the impasse after Trump, Schumer met at closing
Plus: The House passes a bill of costs in the short term, but the legislation faces great difficulties in the Senate
More: As the government looming, the Pentagon is preparing to close offices and troops to continue fighting without paying
More: The Ghost of Shutdowns Past haunts the latest talks to keep the federal government open

Originally posted 6:54 a.m. GMT + 1 January 20, 2018

Closes the US government: what does this mean?

The Federal Government has entered into 'shutdown' for the second time in just over four years after the senators did not agree on a new financing.

Brendan Smialowski  / AFP

The early hours of Saturday was given by initiate the  closure  of the US federal government, after the clock struck midnight without an agreement between Republicans and Democrats around its  interim financing .

Specifically, Senate Democrats blocked a bill of costs, after Republicans refused to exclude the so - called  'dreamers'  of the controversial immigration measures President  Donald Trump , who are targeting more than  700,000 illegal immigrants .

Unlike the last three  occasions  since September 2017 already despite being approved Thursday by the House of Representatives, not agreement on the bill within the deadline set for Friday reached, so the government has into the so - called  'shutdown' .

What is the 'shutdown'?

The 'shutdown' of the federal administration involves closing both public services as non - essential state agencies and the temporary suspension of most of its employees. This has happened in the US 18 times since 1976 .

The last time  that happened this contingency, in October 2013, were affected for 16 days more than  800,000 employees  of the Administration of Barack Obama, when Republicans refused to fund the  'Obamacare' . A similar number of workers affected is projected for this 'shutdown', which will run until lawmakers do not agree on the budget.

Trump 18,000 million calls to Congress to build the border fence with Mexico

affected entities

Among non - essential entities that could close or downsize lower courts, some military operations, brokerage regulators, federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Treasury, and counted  the White House itself .

However, it is expected to remain open airports, immigration controls, mail, national parks, museums, health services and power generation. As for the workers concerned are expected to  receive their salary after the period of closure , according to  ABC .