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Government Shutdown

What a Government Shutdown Means For You

Many government services will be affected in the event of a government shutdown, and may impact your everyday life. My office will remain open during normal office hours, Monday through Friday, to assist constituents.

U.S. Postal Service:

  • Post Offices will remain open, mail will still be delivered.

Social Security:

  • Your Social Security check will continue to be mailed out. This process is largely automated, and therefore not affected by a shutdown.
  • New applications may be delayed. For questions regarding your application, please call my district office at (561) 998-9045.

Veterans:

  • VA services will still be available.
  • The VHA will continue providing health services, and the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center will remain open.
  • VA call centers and hotlines will be closed, and Veterans Benefits Administration public contact services are not available.
  • For more information or assistance with the VA, please contact my district office at (561) 998-9045.

Travel:

  • Air travel should not be affected. The Transportation Security Administration, Air Traffic Controllers, and Customs and Border Protection agents will continue to operate.
  • Passport application processing may be delayed.
  • Amtrak is not affected by the shutdown.

FEMA:

  • FEMA staff will continue to respond to emergencies.
  • It’s unclear if ongoing FEMA recovery efforts, including in Florida, will continue. The Trump Administration has not clarified how many workers will keep working on these efforts during the shutdown.

Military Personnel:

  • Active-duty military personnel will not be affected, and will perform their duties as usual.
  • Military operations will continue.
  • Civilian employees and training operations could be affected.

National Parks:

  • The Interior Department has announced they intend to keep some parks and open-air memorials open. This procedure is different than the last government shutdown. You may wish to check with the park to ensure they are still open before you visit.

Federal Employees:

  • Federal agencies decide on a case by case basis which staffers qualifies as “essential personnel”. Federal employees should have been informed before a shutdown if they are classified as “essential personnel” and will still be required to go to work.
  • In 2013, Congress passed legislation to ensure that all federal workers were paid for the length of the shutdown.
  • Most federal agencies will close.
  • State and local agencies receiving federal funds may be affected; staff could see their payments put on hold.

Visiting Washington D.C.:

  • If you are planning to visit D.C., please note that several popular attractions may be affected by a shutdown.
  • In case of a shut down, the Smithsonian Institution Museums in Washington (including the National Zoo) will remain open through Monday the 22nd. After Monday, museums may not be open. Check on the Smithsonian's website before visiting.
  • Capitol tours will not be offered. If you have booked a Capitol Tour and would like to reschedule, please call my office at (202) 225-9890.
  • As always, please feel free to contact my office at (202) 225-9890 if you would like to book tours in  D.C.