The government shutdown is on. It's the first shutdown since the Clinton era.

The Senate rejected multiple Republican bills to fund the government -- and delay Obamacare.

About 800,000 federal workers will be furloughed immediately. Some government services will be suspended.-- though, the mail will still be delivered.

The Senate unanimously passed a measure that makes sure US troops will get paid during the shutdown.

New Jersey Congressman Rush Holt [D-NJ12] has compiled a straight-forward list on his website of what is affected by a federal government shutdown.  Here's the basics of what will and will not be impacted by the government's shutdown...

The government shutdown temporarily stops all "non-essential" services. However, "essential services" will continue to operate, such as those listed above. Other federal agencies may cut their services to a bare minimum, and are determining which of their services fall under these rules.

These critical services will not cease:

Social Security checks for seniors, people with disabilities and survivors would still go out. But new Social Security applications will likely not be processed during any shutdown, as during in the previous shutdowns.

Troops would continue to serve, though their pay could be put on hold.

Critical homeland security functions such as border security would continue.

The Postal Service, which is self-funded, will continue to operate.

The FAA would keep the air traffic control system open and safe.

However, some services will likely be affected:

Unemployment benefits: The federal funds that help states pay the costs of their unemployment programs could be affected depending on the length of the shutdown.

Veterans' services: While VA hospitals will remain open, veterans' benefits could be delayed or reduced, as was the case during the last shutdown.

National parks: National parks and the National Wildlife Refuge Systems would be among the first places to close if the government shuts down.

Passports: Passport and visa applications will not be processed. In the 1996 shutdown, over 200,000 passport applications and 30,000 daily visa applications went unprocessed.

IRS processing of tax refunds for some returns would be suspended.

FHA new home loan guarantees may cease.

SBA approval of applications for business loan guarantees and direct loans to small businesses would likely cease, impacting the engines of our economy and potentially slowing the economic recovery.

Farm loans and farm payments would cease.

Museums: National museums, including the Smithsonian Institution, would close in the event of a government shutdown.

Access to the U.S. Capitol: Guide and staff-led tours of the Capitol will be canceled. The House Gallery will remain open.

 

 

 

 

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