NATIONAL SHUTDOWN 2023

Since you sent me to Washington, DC, it has been my highest priority to protect safety net programs and essential services, to bring federal resources back to the IL-03, and to prevent further cuts that threaten the well-being of my constituents.

However, Republican infighting has led us to the brink of a national shutdown. I am fighting every day, with my colleagues, to ensure that we keep the government running while funding essential services.

As your Congresswoman, I am committed to keeping you informed of the latest news when it comes to the shutdown. This webpage will be regularly updated with the latest information.

If you don’t find the answer you are looking for, don’t hesitate to reach out to our offices (DC or District contact information is included below). Please be aware that should a shutdown occur, our response time may be delayed, and available services may be limited.

What is a government shutdown?

Many federal government agencies and programs rely on annual funding appropriations passed by Congress. A government shutdown happens when Congress fails to pass the 12 appropriations bills needed to fund the federal government, one for each Appropriations subcommittee:

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, which oversees funding for the USDA (except the Forest Service) and other agencies.
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, which oversees funding for the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, NASA, and other agencies.
Defense, which oversees funding for the military, the intelligence community, and other national defense-related agencies.
Energy and Water Development, which oversees funding for the Department of Energy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies.
Financial Services and General Government, which oversees funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President, and other government functions.
Homeland Security, which oversees funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, which oversees funding for the Department of the Interior, the EPA, the U.S. Forest Service, and a number of independent agencies.
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, which oversees funding for the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, and other agencies.
Legislative Branch, which oversees funding for the House of Representatives (the Senate Legislative Branch oversees funding for the U.S. Senate), the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, and other legislative branch functions.
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, which oversees funding for military construction (including military housing), the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies.
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, which oversees funding for the U.S. State Department, USAID, and related programs.
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, which oversees funding for the Department of Transportation, HUD, and related agencies.

Appropriations bills typically fund the government through the end of each fiscal year (September 30). In a “shutdown,” federal agencies must discontinue all “non-essential” functions until new funding legislation is passed and signed into law. Essential services continue to function, as do mandatory spending programs.

Which government services and programs change during a shutdown, and what impact does that have on the public?

Government functions slow down during a shutdown, with only essential operations continuing. A partial government shutdown can:

Harm public safety
Delay immigration proceedings
Jeopardize cash assistance to low-income families
Delay paychecks for millions of federal workers
Close or shorten hours for federal offices

During the last shutdown:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) paused routine inspections, potentially allowing unsafe food or medical facilities undetected.
86,000 immigration court hearings were canceled, exacerbating case backlogs.
The National Park Service stopped trash collection and road repairs; some parks, the Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo, and the National Gallery of Art closed entirely.
The shutdown also placed Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) at risk if prolonged beyond a month; which could’ve caused further financial hardship for numerous families and children.

Which government services and programs do not change during a shutdown?

The exact services and programs impacted by a shutdown depend on whether the shutdown is total or partial.

A partial government shutdown happens when Congress has passed, and the President has signed a portion of the appropriation bills. During a partial shutdown, some government agencies remain operational and continue providing services to the public.
During a total government shutdown, Congress failed to pass all 12 appropriation bills, affecting the operation of federal agencies and services.

Certain government functions could continue regardless of whether the agencies were funded before the shutdown. Some of these functions are the following:

In-patient hospital care and emergency outpatient medical care
Air traffic control
Law enforcement
Border security
Disaster aid
Power grid maintenance
Visas processing (as long as funds last)

There are some Government activities that are not funded by annual appropriations bills, and therefore, they continue to function during a shutdown. These include:

The U.S. Postal Service
Social Security and Medicare benefits

It is important to note that these activities may still experience delays and disruptions due to understaffing, a lack of support, etc.

What does a government shutdown cost?

Shutdowns hurt our communities, who must grapple with disruptions to federal services and programs and federal employees who are furloughed or forced to work without pay. Additionally, shutdowns also hurt the economy. For example, the 2018-2019 shutdown cost the U.S. economy $11 billion, largely the result of federal workers cutting spending to cope with the loss of their paychecks.

How long does a government shutdown last?

The length of shutdowns varies, as they last until Congress passes and the President signs appropriations bills to fund the government. The 2018-2019 shutdown was the longest government shutdown in U.S. history at 34 full days.

Although the length and the impact of this year’s anticipated shutdown are unknown, it is likely that the shutdown will cause delays in response times and limitations on services our office can provide. Please know that my team and I are committed to continuing advocating for the safety and well-being of every resident, and we will respond to your inquiry as soon as we are able. We appreciate your understanding.

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