If a funding deal isn't reached, how would a government shutdown impact Texas?

Congress is barreling toward a midnight Sept. 30 deadline to fund the United States' federal government for the upcoming fiscal year.

But as 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1 quickly approaches, a stalemate between both chambers and both parties is ongoing despite bipartisan efforts to hammer out an agreement.

If the government were to shut down, broad impacts could be felt by Americans in many ways.

Across the country those who would feel the deepest losses include babies who rely on Women, Infants and Children program benefits for formula, members of the military who would serve without pay, numerous federal workers who would be furloughed and travelers who wait in long airport security lines.

More: The longest government shutdown was tied to the border. The looming 2023 shutdown is, too

Here's how a possible government shutdown could affect Texas:

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol still working on the border

Part of the issue with the House and Senate's inability to come to a funding agreement stems from a push from far-right Republicans to see more money allocated for efforts to deter immigration along the country's southern border.

Despite the potential shutdown, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and its agents will continue to work through the possible funding stoppage, although most will go without pay.

According to a report from the Department of Homeland Security, the department as a whole will see as many as 185,000 employees work without pay, including 19,000 Border Patrol agents.

Another impact to Texas could come through a lack of money meant to support border communities, the department said in a report Thursday.

More: Abbott to New Yorkers: Biden at fault for the 15,000 migrants Texas has sent to their city

So far this year, $770 million has been provided by the agency to assist communities in sheltering migrants in their cities. Because of the possible shutdown, those recipients "may be unable to draw down on a portion of the funds, and no new awards will be made under a shutdown," the Homeland Security Department said.

What about Austin-Bergstrom International Airport?

Similarly, air traffic controllers and airport security personnel are deemed as essential employees, and they will also work without pay for the duration of the shutdown if lawmakers are unable to come to terms before 12:01 a.m. Sunday.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport officials have already confirmed they expect little change if a shutdown were to come into effect.

“AUS does not anticipate significant changes for travelers due to the federal government shutdown. Employees that work in federal roles that are critical to operating the airport are expected to report for duty," airport spokesperson Sam Haynes told the American-Statesman in a written statement Tuesday.

Changes will be mostly administrative in nature, with some paperwork, for example, that often calls for signoffs from city officials' federal counterparts, Haynes said.

However, in a Sept. 20 news release, the White House suggested that Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration agents working without pay would lead to "significant delays and longer wait times for travelers at airports across the country like there were during previous shutdowns.”

Texas' active-duty military personnel would work without pay

In blaming House Republicans for the looming shutdown, a memo from the Biden administration indicates that 114,200 active-duty military personnel in Texas — which has the third highest active military population in the country — are at risk of not being paid.

Military members will be expected to continue their assignments regardless of a government shutdown. Civilian employees working for the military could face furloughs.

"Things could be delayed when it comes to training," Defense Department deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh said earlier this week. "If any of our personnel are furloughed ... that could have impacts to the larger mission."

Texas is home to 15 active military installations split across the Army, Navy and Air Force.

National parks in limbo, look to close

While the country's national parks are funded by federal lawmakers, there is not a specific mandate that those parks shut down along with a funding shortage.

Previous government shutdowns have had different effects on the parks. A 2013 shutdown shuttered the parks, but they remained open during a shutdown in 2018.

However, in a memo released Friday, the U.S. Department of the Interior said a government shutdown this year will close the parks that are scattered across the country.

Live updates: How long do government shutdowns last? See the history chart

"In the event of a lapse in annual government appropriations, National Park Service (NPS) sites will be closed," the memo stated. "This means that the majority of national parks will be closed completely to public access. Areas that, by their nature, are physically accessible to the public will face significantly reduced visitor services."

According to the National Park Service, there are 14 national park sites in Texas. The more than 80 state parks and natural areas in Texas will not be impacted by a federal shutdown.

Social Security and the post office

Social Security recipients will continue to receive checks if the government shuts down. Medicare benefits also will not be interrupted.

However, employees in the Social Security Administration are likely to be furloughed and government food assistance benefits could see delays.

Other administrative processes not directly tied to Social Security checks could see delays because of the shutdown. People might not be able to obtain new Medicare cards until federal funding resumes.

The status of U.S. mail will remain unchanged. The U.S. Postal Service is not dependent on federal funding and will continue with business as usual through a potential shutdown.

Staff writer Chase Rogers contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: If deal isn't reached, what does a government shutdown mean for Texas?