Government Shutdown Help
I know many people are worried and upset about this government shutdown. I am doing everything I can to push for a bipartisan solution to end this crisis as quickly as possible. I understand Kansans are frustrated with Washington and are demanding solutions instead of more partisanship.
Right now, many government agencies unfortunately may be operating with limited staff. This will impact a variety of crucial services people depend on. My team created this web page to help answer questions, connect people with assistance, and to ask for your thoughts.
This is an evolving situation, so my team will continue to update this page as events warrant. Please know that we're here to help however we possibly can. You can find the below menu to get answers to your questions. Please also feel free to call my office at (913) 621-0832.
- What is a government shutdown?
- What are the economic consequences of a government shutdown?
- When will the government shutdown end?
- Getting help during a shutdown.
- Share your concerns: Take the shutdown survey.
- What is the impact of a shutdown on:
- How can I learn more and see what other agencies are impacted?
What is a government shutdown?
Every year fiscal year, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate must pass legislation to fund federal government agencies, which are known as appropriations bills. After passing both chambers of Congress, the legislation must then be signed into law by the president. Appropriations bills fund a number of crucial government agencies and functions. That includes everything from the Department of Defense to the Department of Education.
If appropriations bills do not become law by the time the fiscal year ends, government agencies that are funded by that legislation shut down. Federal agencies operate with significantly limited staff and curtail their operations during a shutdown. Many employees are unfortunately furloughed during this time, while others continue to work to ensure continuation of especially critical operations that are vital for health and safety.
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What are the economic consequences of a government shutdown?
A shutdown is a devastating blow to our economy and represents real consequences for hardworking Kansans. Folks back home are already struggling with higher prices on groceries and gas. They hardly need more stress and uncertainty.
It is estimated the five-week partial government shutdown in 2018-2019 reduced economic output by $11 billion in the following two quarters and the 2013 full government shutdown reduced GDP growth by $20 billion.
In addition, a range of crucial services families and our economy depend on will be disrupted. Please continue reading to learn more.
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When will the government shutdown end?
The only way to end the government shutdown is by passing an appropriations bill to reopen the government. This should be done in a bipartisan way. Both parties should take immediate, bipartisan action to reopen the government as quickly as possible and I will continue to do everything I can to make that happen.
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Getting help during a shutdown
A government shutdown is a serious burden on many hardworking Kansans. Here's how you can get help:
- How my office can help: First, even though the government is shutdown, please know that my office remains open to keep serving the people of the Kansas Third District.
- That includes helping people with federal government agencies. That may include help with stalled passports, backlogged veterans' benefits, or Social Security and Medicare issues. However, please note that many federal agencies are operating with limited staffs so there will likely be delays during this time.
- If you need assistance, please call us at (913) 621-0832. You can also visit davids.house.gov/help to learn more about how we can assist with federal agencies.
- That includes helping people with federal government agencies. That may include help with stalled passports, backlogged veterans' benefits, or Social Security and Medicare issues. However, please note that many federal agencies are operating with limited staffs so there will likely be delays during this time.
- Help for Kansans: Moreover, I know this is also a time of hardship for many people, especially for many federal workers who aren't getting paid right now, and people who may need emergency food assistance. Below are some quick resources that may help you with your groceries during this time. If you need more help, please visit davids.house.gov/lowercosts to find a range of additional resources that may help you with housing, gas, health care, and much more.
- Groceries on a budget: Find tools and resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that may help you save on your groceries.
- Shop Simple with MyPlate App: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's smartphone app can help you find healthy food savings in your area and prepare budget-friendly meals.
- Food Assistance: Hardworking Kansans may qualify for resources to help put food on the table. This link can connect you with a directory of initiatives that may help you find what best fits your situation.
- Extra Help for Fresh Food: If you qualify for SNAP, you can double the value of this assistance by shopping at certain farmers' markets and grocery stores in the Kansas City area.
- Choosing Healthy Appetizing Meal Plan Solutions for Seniors (or CHAMPSS): In Johnson County, folks over 60 and their spouses may qualify for meals through CHAMPSS at local Hy-Vee grocery stores.
- Johnson County Food Pantry: This may be an opportunity for families who are in need to get assistance or for people to give back to their communities.
- More food assistance in Kansas: The Kansas Department of Children and Families also has additional information, including other food pantries in our region.
- Groceries on a budget: Find tools and resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that may help you save on your groceries.
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Share your concerns: Take the shutdown survey
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What's the impact on federal employees?
When federal agencies shutdown, each agency is required to determine which employees are "excepted" or "not excepted". Those who are classified as excepted must continue to work without pay during the duration of that shutdown, while those who are not are furloughed.
Unfortunately, there are thousands of federal workers in Kansas who may be furloughed in a shutdown. A bipartisan report found three previous government shutdowns led to the equivalent of 56,940 years in lost productivity from federal workers.
A new law will ensure federal employees will receive back pay once the government reopens. However, government contractors will not receive backpay, absent additional congressional action.
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What's the impact on military servicemembers?
Unfortunately, military servicemembers on active duty and in the reserves may not be paid until the shutdown ends absent additional congressional action. On-base non-acute health care will cease, although off-base care provided through Tricare will not be affected. On-base child care will be open on a case-by-case basis.
My mother is an Army veteran who served for 20 years. I will do everything I can to reopen the government quickly so our servicemembers will get paid.
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What's the impact on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security?
Recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and SSI payments. However, Kansans receiving Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits could experience service delays, including disruptions to verifying benefits or the issuance of new cards. Customer service times are expected to substantially increase.
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Tax refunds and services?
Previously, the IRS has said that services for taxpayers during a shutdown would be limited and that two thirds of their workforce could be furloughed during a shutdown, including people who help answer phone calls. That could include delays to tax refunds and other critical services.
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What's the impact on veterans?
The VA may continue to process benefits and all medical facilities and clinics will remain open. However, other veterans related services could be impacted, such as job training and education services. For example, the Labor Departments' Veterans Employment and Training Service may stop operating during this time. Some regional VA offices may close as well.
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What's the impact on agriculture programs?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture may have to stop processing farm loans for Kansas agriculture producers. It will also disrupt Agriculture Risk and Price Loss Coverage programs, such as ARC and PLC. In addition, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Agricultural Statistics Service will not operate during this period.
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What's the impact on small businesses?
Small businesses may encounter delays in receiving loans from the federal government. Moody's Analytics estimated that the 2018-2019 shutdown delayed more than $2 billion in loans to small businesses.
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What's the impact on nutrition assistance?
The distribution of important food assistance programs, including SNAP, could be disrupted, leaving some Kansans -- including women, children, and the elderly -- without nutritious food. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) unfortunately could quickly run out of funding, which I understand will be very challenging for many parents with younger children.
If you need additional during this time, please visit the Kansas Department for Children and Families Food Assistance page. This is a state agency that is not directly impacted by a shutdown, although they interact with federal agencies that may be impacted.
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What's the impact on air travel?
During a shutdown, air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers would have to work without pay. This could mean that travelers could face longer lines at airport security checkpoints and flight delays during a shutdown, which would also delay passport processing times even further.
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What's the impact on mail delivery?
The U.S. Postal Service has independent streams of revenue from federal appropriations, so mail should continue to operate without interruption.
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How can I learn more?
Here are some additional resources that may help you.
- The Congressional Research Service (CRS): This is a nonpartisan division of the Library of Congress that provides authoritative research to members of Congress and their staffs. Some CRS reports are publicly available and can provide useful information to people. Here is some more information about government shutdowns from CRS:
- Agency contingency plans: The office of management and budget hosts the shutdown contingency plans of different federal agencies. If you'd like to learn more about how different agencies are operating at this time, you may access that information here.
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