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Dear John,
Our federal government is now in a state of shutdown. House Republicans and I passed a clean, nonpartisan, short-term funding bill that would keep the government open. We are also working to pass all 12 annual appropriations bills to responsibly fund the government and have begun to formally negotiate on three appropriations bills, which hasn’t been done since 2018.
That House-passed short-term funding bill must be approved by the Senate to keep the government open. Under Senate rules, 60 votes are required to pass the bill, which means it will require bipartisan support since there are currently only 53 Republicans in the Senate.
Unfortunately, all but three Democrats in the Senate opposed the funding bill, which resulted in the shutdown of the government as of 12:00 am Wednesday, October 1. Instead of keeping the government open for our military, veterans, seniors, farmers, and families, radical progressives are demanding billions to give Medicaid benefits to illegal aliens and protect wasteful Biden-era programs. I believe that’s completely irresponsible.
I strongly oppose government shutdowns because Americans rightfully expect and deserve a functioning government.
My Offices
My staff and I will be working throughout this shutdown. This year, we have responded to tens of thousands of messages, emails, and phone calls, and we will continue to respond to your questions during the shutdown. We have also helped Riverside County residents receive the benefits they are entitled to from federal agencies including the VA, Social Security, and Medicare.
Unfortunately, our ability to help constituents with situations like this will be affected by the shutdown, as many departments and agencies will not be processing casework during the shutdown. However, that work will resume once federal funding is restored. If you are experiencing an issue with a federal agency, please call my office at (951) 277-0042, and we will work with you on the paperwork that must be completed so we can file your case as soon as we are able.
If you are traveling to D.C. during this time, my office will remain open to visitors. However, all Capitol tours will be suspended.
Social Security
The Social Security Administration and the benefits they provide are categorized as mandatory spending by the federal government and are not annually approved by Congress. If you are a Social Security recipient, you will continue to receive your Social Security payments. However, if you are waiting for benefit verifications or disability claims, you may experience a delay in having those processed.
Medicare and Medicaid
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services programs will continue to operate as normal during the shutdown.
The VA
All VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers will be open. VA benefits, including compensation, pension education, and housing benefits will continue to be processed. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals will also continue to operate normally. The VA Contact Center will remain open and can be reached at 1-800-MyVA411. The Veterans Crisis Center is also available 24/7 to help veterans who call 988.
Unfortunately, some VA services will be impacted by the shutdown. Regional benefits offices will be closed, along with the GI Bill hotline, and career counseling.
U.S. Postal Service
The U.S. Postal Service will not be interrupted.
TSA
The Transportation Security Administration will continue to operate. There may be, however, longer than usual waits to go through security at the airport. If you have a flight planned, I suggest getting to the airport earlier than normal to ensure you get through security in a timely manner.
Passports
There is currently a 4-6 week processing time for routine passport applications. The shutdown may lead to longer delays. If you plan to travel internationally and you need to renew your passport or get a new passport, it is recommended that you begin the process as soon as possible.
If you are currently abroad, U.S. consular services will still be provided.
Again, my team and I will continue to work throughout this government shutdown for our constituents in the 41st Congressional District. I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bring this needless government shutdown to a swift end. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
KEN CALVERT
Member of Congress
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