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CLEVELAND (WJW) – The government shutdown is expected to have a major impact at the local level, as the Congressional Budget Office estimates roughly 750,000 federal employees could be furloughed each day.
The last shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, lasted 35 days. At this point, it’s unclear how long this one will continue, but federal workers are expected to be among the hardest hit.
“When the government doesn’t have money, it shuts down,” retired Case Western Reserve University professor of law and political science Jonathan Entin said. “If you are trying to get information from an agency or office that’s temporarily shut down, no one is going to be there to answer your questions.”
Right now, lawmakers in Washington remain divided over federal funding, mainly revolving around enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies. Neither side is budging.
Entin said shutdowns are often confusing, but many federal agencies and federally funded operations will be directly impacted.
The National Park Service, for example, plans to furlough about two-thirds of its employees while keeping parks open to visitors. The Department of Health and Human Services will furlough about 41% of its staff.
Locally, the National First Ladies Library and Museum in Canton announced it will close until further notice.
Entin said shutdowns can also create major backlogs for federal workers.
Both TSA and FAA employees will not be paid until the government reopens. However, representatives from Hopkins International Airport said operations will not be impacted, and the airport will remain fully open.
TSA said it will furlough 3,000 employees, which could impact travelers.
“While TSA is prepared to continue screening about 2.5 million passengers a day, an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports,” an emailed media release read. “We kindly ask for our passengers’ patience during this time. Despite this challenge, we will remain vigilant and focused on performing our vital security mission on behalf of the American people.”
FBI investigators, CIA officers and members of the armed forces will continue to work and will be paid. Social Security payments will still go out, mail will continue to be delivered, and seniors relying on Medicare can still see their doctors while providers are reimbursed.
Entin said there is no way to predict how long this shutdown could last.
“And it also undermines public trust in government, because it means that just a lot of people just look at this and they’re going to say, ‘wait a minute, these folks are just playing political games,’” Entin said. “They don’t care about us.”
He added that while some federal workers may be able to withstand not being paid for a short period, those living paycheck to paycheck will feel the impact immediately.
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Tino Bovenzi
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