Government Shutdown Guidance

A government shutdown happens when Congress fails to fund federal agencies, forcing many services to pause and employees to go unpaid.

A “lapse in appropriations” occurs when no appropriations law is enacted to fund government operations. The Constitution requires that no money leave the Treasury without an appropriation.

Each year, Congress must pass spending bills for the new fiscal year. If they miss the deadline, Congress may pass a temporary measure (a Continuing Resolution, or CR) to extend current funding. Without either, a shutdown begins.

Every agency has contingency plans: many “non-essential” services pause, some employees are furloughed, and “essential” employees continue working without pay. Mandatory programs (like Social Security) continue, though some services may be delayed.

Congressman Owens does not support government shutdowns. He believes the government must remain open so service members are paid, veterans receive care, and Utah families have access to essential services.

On September 19, Congressman Owens voted yes on H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026. This is a clean and straightforward continuing resolution — free of partisan “poison pills” — that simply extends government funding until November 21. It keeps the government open and gives Congress time to move forward under regular order and continue FY26 budget negotiations. The measure passed the House by a vote of 217 to 212. 

Passing a clean, short-term continuing resolution in the Senate requires 60 votes, and there are 53 total Republican senators. The Senate voted on the measure but failed to achieve the 60 vote threshold to advance the legislation.

This CR is the same short-term funding extension that virtually all Democrats voted to pass 13 times during the Biden Administration. Despite this voting history, nearly every Democrat has refused to support the current clean, nonpartisan funding extension to keep the government open and operational.

Each federal agency develops its own shutdown plan, following guidance released in previous shutdowns and coordinated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The plan identifies which government activities may not continue until appropriations are restored, requiring furloughs and the halting of many agency activities. Essential services – many of which are related to public safety – continue to operate, with payments covering any obligations incurred only when appropriations are enacted.

In prior shutdowns, border protection, in-hospital medical care, air traffic control, law enforcement, and power grid maintenance have been among the services classified as essential, while some legislative and judicial staff have also been largely protected. Mandatory spending that is not subject to annual appropriations – such as for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid – also continues. Other examples of activities that continue are those funded by permanent user fees that are not subject to appropriations, such as immigration services funded by visa fees. Certain programs that are funded through advanced appropriations, such as those within the Veterans Health Administration, have been minimally affected during recent shutdowns.

Although many programs are exempt, the public is still likely to feel the impact of a shutdown in several ways. For example, in a full shutdown:

• Social Security and Medicare: Checks are sent out, but benefit verification as well as card issuance would cease. While unlikely to happen again, during the 1995-1996 shutdown, more than 10,000 Medicare applicants were temporarily turned away every day of the shutdown.
• Environmental and Food Inspection: During the 2013 shutdown, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) halted inspections for 1,200 sites that included hazardous waste, drinking water, and chemical facilities, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) delayed almost 900 inspections. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, the FDA restored some food inspections a few weeks into the funding lapse for products that were considered high-risk.
• National Parks: In 2013, the National Park Service (NPS) turned away millions of visitors to more than 400 parks, national monuments, and other sites. NPS estimated that the shutdown led to more than $500 million in lost visitor spending nationwide. Many parks remained open during the 2018-2019 shutdown, though no visitor services were provided, and damage and trash build-up were reported at many sites.
• Air Travel: During the 2018-2019 shutdown, air travel was strained as a result of air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents working without pay. Travelers faced longer lines as some TSA agents did not report to work and security checkpoints were closed, while the absence of ten air traffic controllers temporarily stopped travel at LaGuardia Airport and caused delays at several major airports.
• Health and Human Services: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) would be prevented from admitting new patients or processing grant applications. In 2013, states were forced to front the money for formula grant programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, sometimes described as “cash welfare”).
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS): In the event of a shutdown, the IRS, which verifies income and Social Security numbers, would not be able to perform this service. In 2013, a backlog of 1.2 million income and Social Security number verification requests delayed mortgage and other loan approvals, and billions of dollars of tax refunds were also delayed. At least 26,000 furloughed IRS employees were recalled to work during the 2018-2019 shutdown in preparation for tax season, but 14,000 did not show up to work without pay.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Though funding for the SNAP program is mandatory, the ability to send out “food stamp” benefits could be affected by a shutdown, since continuing resolutions have generally only authorized the Agriculture Department (USDA) to send out benefits for 30 days after a shutdown begins. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, the USDA paid February SNAP benefits early on January 20, just before the 30-day window ended, but it would have been unable to pay March benefits had the shutdown continued. In addition, during any shutdown, stores are not able to renew their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card licenses, so those whose licenses expire would not be able to accept SNAP benefits during a shutdown.

During the shutdown, many essential services will remain in place, though with possible delays:

• Social Security and SSI benefits Social Security beneficiaries would continue receiving their Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance, and SSI payments; Hearings and all critical services will continue.
• Medicare and Medicaid benefits Payments and services will continue
• VHA/VAMC All veteran medical care and critical services will continue
• VBA/VARO VA regional benefit offices will close, and transition services (such as career counseling) will pause.
• Military and federal law enforcement operations
• Air travel (TSA and air traffic controllers remain on duty, but expect delays)
• Mail delivery (U.S. Postal Service continues normal operations)
• SNAP benefits (though disruptions are possible if the shutdown is prolonged)
• Student aid (Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans)
• Federal employee retirement payments

Yes. Both offices remain open to help constituents.

• West Jordan: (801) 999-9801
• Washington, D.C.: (202) 225-3011

If your call is not answered, please leave a detailed message and we will return your message as soon as possible. 

Yes, Congressman Owens’ staff will continue helping you, but agency responses may be delayed.

We can assist with:

• Passports
• IRS issues
• Immigration services
• Veterans Affairs casework

You can start a case online through the Digital Privacy Release Form or by calling 801-999-9801. Our team will keep submitting requests and updating you, even if agencies are short-staffed. Learn more about constituent casework here. 

Yes. The Postal Service funds itself and continues normal operations.

No. Benefits continue, though communication with agencies may be delayed. If you need assistance, please reach out to our office here. 

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) stops approving new housing loans, creating major delays.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) will not accept or approve new business loans during a shutdown.

Student loans and Pell Grants continue temporarily, but prolonged shutdowns could disrupt school funding. FAFSA processing continues at reduced levels. 

Visa and passport operations are fee-funded and not normally impacted by a shutdown.

Immigration court cases on the detained docket should still proceed during a shutdown, while non-detained docket cases will be rescheduled to a later date once funding resumes.

The Department of Homeland Security estimates that Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should retain most of their employees and continue their work during a shutdown.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff should still respond to emergencies, but all long-term projects will be delayed due to a lack of funding in the Disaster Relief Fund.

Federal employees: Some will be furloughed, while others deemed essential must continue working without pay. Congress has guaranteed back pay once the government reopens.

Federal contractors: New contracts and modifications will not be issued. Expect delays in procurement and payments.

Resources:

• OPM Operating Status
• OPM Shutdown Furlough Guidance
• Thrift Savings Plan Updates 

The Library of Congress, National Archives, U.S. Supreme Court, and White House tours will be suspended.

Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo may remain open temporarily using reserve funds, but will close once funds run out.

The U.S. Capitol Flag Office will be closed, so flag requests cannot be processed during the shutdown.

Yes, but with limited entry points, which may cause delays.