Today marks the second day into the U.S. Government shutdown. Since the last government shutdown was back in 1995, many people are wondering what exactly is open and closed during a government shutdown? Below are a list of services that are or are not affected by the shutdown.
Open/Functioning
- U.S Postal Service
- Social Security
- Air Traffic Control
- Federal Law Enforcement
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Amtrak
- Supreme Court (at least until Oct. 4th)
Closed/Not Functioning
- National Parks and Museums (Is it free? If so, it’s probably closed).
- Passports (some offices closed)
- E-Verify
- Library of Congress
- Federal Websites
- IRS Walk-in Centers
Of interest to those doing legal research:
- Federal Register – Available only on FDsys, but limited to documents necessary to safeguard human life, protect property, or provide other emergency services consistent with the performance of functions and services exempted under the Antideficiency Act.
- THOMAS.gov – Only legislative information is available
- U.S. Code – Available at uscode.house.gov
- FDsys – Except for Federal Register, remaining collections are not being updated
Learn more about the government shutdown:
- Government shutdown: What we know and don’t know by Ed Payne (CNN)
- Government shutdown: What’s closed, what’s open? (CNN)
- 1995 and 2013: Three differences between two shutdowns by Dan Merica (CNN)
- 66 questions and answers about the government shutdown by Gregory Korte (USA TODAY)
- 27 more questions and answers about the shutdown by Gregory Korte (USA TODAY)
- A bunch of federal websites will shut down with the government by Andrea Peterson (The Washington Post)
- Who Goes to Work? Who Stays Home? (The New York Times)
The Blackacre Times 