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Dear Friend,
At 12:00 AM on the morning of January 31, 2026, a partial government shutdown took effect after funding authorization expired for portions of the federal government.
Despite the shutdown, my office will remain fully available to assist with constituent services, and we will continue to arrange tours of the United States Capitol, the White House, federal agencies, and other landmarks for constituents visiting Washington, D.C.
Services That Will Face Disruptions:
Federal Emergency Management Agency: Emergency response operations will continue, but widespread furloughs and funding disruptions are expected to significantly slow disaster recovery and limit FEMA’s ability to respond to new emergencies.
Services That Will Remain in Effect:
Airport Security: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) continues unaffected. Travelers may face longer wait times going through airport security. TSA employees may be required to work without pay until government funding is restored.
Air Traffic Control: Operations are deemed essential and will go unaffected. Air traffic controllers may be required to work without pay until government funding is restored.
Medicare and Medicaid: Benefits will not be impacted during a government shutdown.
Internal Revenue Service: Employees will continue working and tax return processing will continue during a government shutdown. Tax refunds are expected to be issued on time.
Social Security Administration: Social Security payments will continue during a government shutdown.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: SNAP benefits will continue to be issued during a government shutdown. However, administrative operations may be limited, which could affect new applications, recertifications, and customer service.
Passports: Standard processing currently takes 4-6 weeks. During a shutdown, delays may increase. To renew your passport or get a new passport, it is recommended that you begin the process as soon as possible. All consular services abroad will remain open.
Veterans Affairs: All VA hospitals and clinics will remain open. 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.
National Parks: National parks will remain open during a shutdown, though some operations may be affected.
Resources for Federal Employees
For agency-specific details, visit your department’s .gov site (e.g., www.dhs.gov, www.va.gov) and check their HR or shutdown resource pages.
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