Ending Government Shutdowns

I'm bringing a Wisconsin idea to Washington. 

I believe that our government should be open and working for Wisconsin families. Decades of dysfunction and brinksmanship in Washington has resulted in a broken spending process and continual threats of government shutdowns. We should reform the federal spending process and end the possibility of future shutdowns.

Last week, I introduced the Eliminate Government Shutdowns Act with Senator Ron Johnson. This bill would create an automatic two week CR in the event that Congress does not finalize appropriations at the end of a fiscal year. Funding would remain at existing levels until new appropriations are signed into law. This would end the possibility for any future shutdowns.

Wisconsin uses a similar process. That's why we don't have this issue in Wisconsin.

I joined ABC News this week to talk about my work to permanently end government shutdowns and get Washington working for families again. You can watch my interview below or at the link here.

I want to hear from you:

Government Shutdown - What You Need To Know

As of 12:01am on October 1, funding for many federal agencies has lapsed.

On September 19, the House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to prevent a lapse in funding. This clean CR makes no substantive policy changes and keeps the government open and funded at current levels through November 21, 2025. This is a stopgap measure while Congress continues to negotiate 2026 spending levels.

Despite a majority in both houses of Congress supporting the CR, the resolution did not receive enough votes to pass the Senate. As funding lapsed on October 1, the federal government has entered a shutdown. Because the Senate requires 60 votes to pass most proposals, four additional Senators will need to vote for the clean CR to reopen the federal government. Currently, the Senate is continuing to hold votes to reopen the federal government.

Shutdowns do not help Wisconsin families, and it's not the way our government should operate. That is why I voted to keep our government open and am working to find a solution to end this brinksmanship. 

Below is some current information about government shutdowns, their impact on Wisconsin families, and how I am working through the shutdown to help Wisconsin families. 

For up to date information on the shutdown, visit my website here.

What Is a Government Shutdown

A government shutdown occurs when annual appropriations expire without renewal by Congress. This means that most federal agencies (with a few exceptions) are not authorized to expend funds or issue checks to federal employees. 

Congress is required to authorize all federal spending, typically on an annual basis. Authorized appropriations expired on October 1, meaning that until new funding is authorized by Congress, no additional expenditures can occur.

Agencies are required to develop agency contingency plans, for a lapse in appropriations to ensure an orderly continuation of critical operations. This action ensures that federal agencies and employees whose work is classified as essential; typically in areas like energy, defense, and agriculture, will continue to work and be reimbursed wages later. 

What Services Will Continue

Some federal services and agencies will continue to operate, although changes in staffing may affect certain provisions of their operations. For example:

Constituent Services: My office will be open and staffed throughout the government shutdown. I and my staff will continue to be available to help you with any issues you are having. Please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Social Security and Medicare: Social Security and Medicare are mandatory expenditures, meaning that checks will still be sent out to recipients. However some employees in the Social Security Administration may be furloughed, meaning that benefit verification and card issuance will cease.

VA Care and Veterans Benefits:  VA care and benefits will continue. However some regional VA offices may experience staffing changes. If you or someone you know needs help accessing VA care or your benefits please contact my office.

Postal Service (USPS): The USPS is not reliant on the annual Congressional appropriations process, meaning that mail operations will continue as normal.

FEMA Emergency Response: FEMA will remain operational and available to respond to emergencies and disasters. This includes activities such as payments to disaster survivors, debris removal, and emergency protective measures. If you or someone you know was affected by recent flooding, please visit my website here for a list of available resources.

State Department and Consulate Operations: Consulates overseas are considered essential to operations and will continue to provide services to American citizens overseas. Diplomatic efforts will also continue.

Air Travel: TSA and Air Traffic Control will continue to operate through the shutdown, although there may be changes in staffing levels and delays at certain facilities.

For a list of additional services that will continue, visit my website here.

What Will Be Impacted

Nearly every federal agency will be affected in some manner by a shutdown. Some common examples of these impacts include:

Active Duty Military Pay: During a shutdown, active-duty military members will continue to serve but will not receive pay until the shutdown ends. Conversely, members of Congress will continue to receive pay. This is wrong - I wrote to the Chief Administrative Officer of the House to request that my pay be withheld during the shutdown.

Executive Agency Operations: During a lapse in funding, many executive agencies will furlough staff. These agencies will determine which staff are deemed essential. This means that in some instances, help lines or forward-facing services will have reduced or no staffing. If you have an issue with a federal agency, please contact my office. 

Federal Employees: As agencies shutdown, federal employees will either be furloughed or in some cases required to work without pay. Under federal law, employees are entitled to back pay when the government reopens.

Lost Economic Growth: A government shutdown can have a significant impact on our economy. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the partial shutdown of 2018 resulted in a GDP loss of $11 billion over five weeks due to lost federal wages and the cessation of discretionary programs. 

National Parks: The National Park Service is a federally funded agency, meaning it is subject to annual appropriations. National Parks, including visitor facilities, campgrounds, and museums, will be impacted on a case by case basis.

Small Business Administration (SBA): The majority of SBA programs will cease operations, including core lending and investment programs.

While I am disappointed that a handful of members of the Senate have not been willing to vote to reopen the federal government, I am committed to continuing my work for Wisconsin families.

As always, feel free to contact my office if you have any questions, want to share an opinion, or are having trouble with a federal agency.  

On Wisconsin,

Bryan Steil
Member of Congress

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