Dear John,
As many of you know, we are quickly approaching this weekend’s deadline to fund the government. That means that unless the House, Senate, and President come to an agreement before then, the federal government will no longer have the funds to operate. A shutdown would have a negative impact on the economy and on the thousands of families in our district employed by the federal government. It would also impact our everyday lives with the disruption of various services.
I am doing everything in my power to work across the aisle to ensure the federal government is addressing the most important needs of our community and our country. That’s why I’m a cosponsor of the Bipartisan Keep America Open Act. As I write this, the Senate has advanced a bill to fund the government, and the House majority repeatedly struggles to do the same while refusing to consider the Senate bill. I am supportive of the Senate bill and would vote for it.
If a shutdown does go into effect at midnight on Saturday, I wanted to make you aware of how various agencies and services will be impacted. Please know that in the event of a shutdown, my office will be open, and we will do our best to assist you.
In this newsletter, you will find information on the following agencies in order of most frequent requests of our office:
This is not a comprehensive list but reflects the most common questions we currently receive and would anticipate receiving. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. |
Because passport services are funded by fees – what you and I pay to get a new passport or renew an existing one – passport service isn’t expected to be impacted by a shutdown. |
- Services that will continue with minimal interruptions include:
- Medicare enrollees will still have their medical appointments, hospital visits, and prescription drugs covered.
- Constituents can still enroll in Medicare and can still go to ssa.gov to fill out an application. The Medicare hotline (800-633-4227) will continue to operate.
- Medicare open enrollment begins on Oct. 15, and the shutdown is not expected to affect the ability of beneficiaries to review their existing plans and make changes. For assistance with the available options, contact your county’s PA MEDI (Medicare, Education, Decision, and Insight) office:
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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will stop many of its services and will experience many delays. |
- Services that will be impacted include:
Most veteran outreach and call center operations will be suspended, including the GI Bill Hotline, the Native American Veterans Direct Loan program, and more. Most National Cemetery Administration (NCA) operations will be suspended, including permanent headstone installation and grounds maintenance. Legal services provided by the Office of General Counsel will be suspended, except for legal assistance required in specific circumstances. Functions of the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection will be suspended, to include receiving, reviewing, and investigating whistleblower allegations.
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- Services that will continue with minimal interruptions include:
Veterans Health Administration (VHA) veteran medical care and critical services. Benefits programs processing (education benefit claims, loan guarantee, pension claims, etc.). NCA will continue to inter veterans and eligible family members, schedule burials, and process applications for headstones and markers. Board of Veterans Appeals will continue to render appellate decisions on benefits cases. MyVA411 and PACT Act Contact Center call center operations will continue.
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- Services that will continue with minimal interruptions include:
- Applications for benefits, requests for appeals (reconsiderations, hearings, Appeals Council), changes of address, critical payments, payee changes, reinstatements of benefits and Social Security cards.
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Fee-funded USCIS operations such as ongoing applications, immigration benefit services, and Congressional inquiries into specific case issues will continue with minimal interruptions. |
The Small Business Administration (SBA) will stop many of its services including the processing of loan applications and its advisory support to those wanting to start a new business. Banks will be unable to buy and sell SBA loans of the secondary credit market. |
The Department of Defense (DoD) will continue to defend the nation and conduct ongoing military operations, including activities necessary for the safety of human life and the protection of property. |
Active-duty military members (including reserve component personnel on Federal active duty) are mission essential and will continue to report for duty during a shutdown. Reserve component personnel (Reserve and National Guard) are only authorized to perform duties that support named military operations, activities necessary for national security or disaster response, and the fulfillment of pre-deployment requirements. Many DoD civilians will be furloughed. Only the minimum number of civilian employees necessary to carry out excepted activities will not be furloughed. Military retirees will still receive pension checks during this time with no lapse or delay in payment. DoD support services will be impacted as follows: Military treatment facilities, pharmacies, laboratories, and on-base healthcare will remain open and necessary treatment will continue. Routine appointments and elective surgery appointments will be canceled and need to be rescheduled. Private sector Tricare coverage will not be impacted by a shutdown. Military exchanges will be open worldwide, but stateside commissaries will follow an orderly shutdown. Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs will continue. On-base childcare facilities will remain open.
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- Services that will be impacted include:
HUD offices will be closed to the public, and the vast majority of HUD employees will be furloughed. Monthly subsidy programs such as the public housing operating subsidies, housing choice voucher subsidies, and multifamily assistance contracts may be at risk of running out of funding during a lapse period. Nearly all of HUD’s fair housing activities will cease during a lapse.
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I know this is a stressful time for members of our community who are employed by the federal government or who utilize their services. Contact my office if you need assistance, but especially now if you need clarification on something that relates to the potential shutdown. We are here to help. |
Serving as our community's representative is the honor of my lifetime, and I hope to hear from you soon about any issue that concerns you.
Be well and see you soon, |
Chrissy Houlahan
U.S Member of Congress |
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