Read the full article on KETV 7
The federal government slipped into a partial shutdown over the weekend as lawmakers disagreed over funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Democrats and some Republicans have expressed concern over how immigration enforcement is being carried out across the country. The shutdown is leaving some federal agencies and everyday people in limbo until a deal is reached.Here’s what you need to know:How soon could the shutdown end?House Speaker Mike Johnson says he wants to reopen the government as soon as Tuesday, but the path to get there may not be easy. Johnson is relying on Republican votes to muscle the current funding package through. On Monday evening, a committee of House lawmakers considered the spending deal, which funds five of six federal agencies through September. The deal also separates funding for DHS, giving Congress two more weeks to debate new restrictions on immigration agents. Without help from Democrats, Johnson can only afford one Republican defector, but some Republicans want to add more bills to the budget. President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Monday afternoon they want no changes.How does this shutdown differ from the last? Unlike last fall’s full shutdown, this partial shutdown affects only some federal agencies.Congress passed most of its full-year spending bills in November and temporarily funded the rest of the government until Jan. 30.That measure fully-funded the Interior, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs (VA) departments, for example. The current package lawmakers are considering would provide funding for remaining agencies, including Defense, Transportation, Labor, State, and Health and Human Services. Another difference between the two shutdowns could be timing. Experts believe that the current partial shutdown may be short-lived compared to the record 43-day shutdown last year.How will this impact me?Though the current shutdown is not expected to be felt as widely as the last one, some services and people could be affected. For example, processing times for tax refunds appear to be safe for now. But an IRS memo says the agency is tapping into emergency funds to keep all staff working this week. The shutdown will impact Defense and Homeland Security, meaning military members, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers, air traffic controllers, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and border patrol agents will potentially have to work without pay since they are considered essential employees.FEMA’s disaster response and visa and passport services will continue to operate normally, but they may see impacts the longer the shutdown drags on. Other programs like SNAP and Social Security are fully funded for the rest of the year, so checks for those benefits will go out as usual.Watch the latest coverage on the government shutdown:
The federal government slipped into a partial shutdown over the weekend as lawmakers disagreed over funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Democrats and some Republicans have expressed concern over how immigration enforcement is being carried out across the country. The shutdown is leaving some federal agencies and everyday people in limbo until a deal is reached.
Here’s what you need to know:
Advertisement
How soon could the shutdown end?
House Speaker Mike Johnson says he wants to reopen the government as soon as Tuesday, but the path to get there may not be easy.
Johnson is relying on Republican votes to muscle the current funding package through. On Monday evening, a committee of House lawmakers considered the spending deal, which funds five of six federal agencies through September. The deal also separates funding for DHS, giving Congress two more weeks to debate new restrictions on immigration agents.
Without help from Democrats, Johnson can only afford one Republican defector, but some Republicans want to add more bills to the budget. President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Monday afternoon they want no changes.
How does this shutdown differ from the last?
Unlike last fall’s full shutdown, this partial shutdown affects only some federal agencies.
Congress passed most of its full-year spending bills in November and temporarily funded the rest of the government until Jan. 30.
That measure fully-funded the Interior, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs (VA) departments, for example.
The current package lawmakers are considering would provide funding for remaining agencies, including Defense, Transportation, Labor, State, and Health and Human Services.
Another difference between the two shutdowns could be timing. Experts believe that the current partial shutdown may be short-lived compared to the record 43-day shutdown last year.
How will this impact me?
Though the current shutdown is not expected to be felt as widely as the last one, some services and people could be affected.
For example, processing times for tax refunds appear to be safe for now. But an IRS memo says the agency is tapping into emergency funds to keep all staff working this week.
The shutdown will impact Defense and Homeland Security, meaning military members, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers, air traffic controllers, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and border patrol agents will potentially have to work without pay since they are considered essential employees.
FEMA’s disaster response and visa and passport services will continue to operate normally, but they may see impacts the longer the shutdown drags on.
Other programs like SNAP and Social Security are fully funded for the rest of the year, so checks for those benefits will go out as usual.
Watch the latest coverage on the government shutdown:
