Government shutdown could affect most Mississippians. Here's what we know

Lici Beveridge, Mississippi Clarion-Ledger
·2 min read
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A government shutdown is looming, and the nation is waiting to see if lawmakers will pass approximately a dozen appropriations bills before the Oct. 1 budget deadline.

Congressional leaders may pass a continuing resolution to keep the government operating under the current budget temporarily, giving lawmakers additional time to approve a budget for fiscal year 2024.

In the event of a federal shutdown, how will it affect Mississippi? Here are some of the things that can or will happen during a shutdown.

What will be affected?

  • Federal food programs will stop operations, although the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will continue through October. If the shutdown continues, funds will dry out. Additional food assistance for the Women, Infants and Children supplement will not be available after the shutdown. Nearly one-third of all households in Mississippi are eligible for SNAP benefits.

  • Food safety agencies like the USDA will shut down or significantly reduce staffing. Farmers may not have access to federal services and loans, if needed, during harvest season, which could further affect food resources.

  • Most parks and monuments operated by the National Parks Service will remain open, but visitors will not have access to services or facilities like restrooms and road maintenance, since the parks will be unstaffed, except for security and emergency services. More than 7 million people visit Mississippi's national parks each year, creating an economic impact of more than $610 million.

  • Travel could be affected. While most Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration employees will continue to work, some services will be limited during the shutdown. The workforce may dwindle as the shutdown continues, which could cause delays and service disruptions.

  • Active-duty military will continue working, but civilian personnel will be furloughed.

  • Federal courts will continue to operate until funds run out, but many nonessential employees will be furloughed.

  • Agencies like NASA and the National Weather Service will shut down, but critical and emergency personnel will continue to work.

  • Federal employees who work for agencies that are shut down will not receive pay, even if they are required to work. Mandatory employees, like those in the military, TSA and FAA, who work during the shutdown will not be paid during the shutdown but will receive back pay once the shutdown is over. In Mississippi, there are approximately 17,300 federal employees and more than 8,000 military personnel.

USA TODAY Live: Status of a possible government shutdown and how it could affect your family

What will not be affected?

  • U.S. Postal Service: Operations will not be affected by a shutdown. The postal service operates as an independent agency funded by the sale of goods and services.

  • Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid will not be affected because those agencies are funded through income taxes that are not part of the annual appropriations.

  • National cemeteries — there are five in Mississippi — will not be affected.

How will you be affected if there is a government shutdown? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: How will government shutdown affect Mississippi