How Maryland Would Be Affected By Government Shutdown

MARYLAND — A deal to keep the government funded and avoid a partial shutdown before Christmas hit a serious roadblock when the White House said that "at this moment" President Donald Trump "does not want to go further without border security, which includes steel slats or a wall." The statement issued Thursday said the president was "continuing to weigh his options."

On Friday morning, Trump tripled down on Twitter, stating: "Shutdown today if Democrats do not vote for Border Security!" telling Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to "use the Nuclear Option and get it done!"

It's a lot to digest, but it appears the government could be partially shut down. What does that mean for Maryland?

About 25 percent of federal workers may be forced to take furloughs or work without pay, according to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, meaning thousands of Marylanders would be impacted.

There are 147,524 federal workers who live in Maryland. The state is fifth in the U.S. and District of Columbia in terms of how many federal workers call it home, behind California, Virginia, the District of Columbia and Texas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"Dedicated federal employees should not be a pawn in this battle in Washington," said Hogan, a Republican, at a press conference Friday.

The Maryland Department of Labor was prepared to process unemployment insurance claims from impacted federal workers, he said, and other state agencies were on standby for those who may need assistance as well.

If there were a federal government shutdown, airports such as BWI would operate during the busy holiday travel season, but Transportation Security Administration employees and Customs and Border Patrol agents are among those who would have to work without pay. Federal law enforcement agents and correctional officers would also continue to work without pay.

Other Maryland workers impacted would be at the Food and Drug Administration in Montgomery County, Goddard Space Center in Prince George's County, and the Port of Baltimore and Fort McHenry in Baltimore City, according to The Baltimore Sun. Social Security employees in Baltimore County would not be affected, the newspaper reported, citing a union rep.

"It's demoralizing. It really is," said Rep. Anthony Brown, whose district includes parts of Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties. The Democrat told WTOP that the looming shutdown right around the time of Christmas was anxiety-provoking for many Maryland families looking forward to getting their next paycheck.

The Post Office would stay open during a government shutdown and Social Security payments would go out as usual.

The shutdown could affect some national parks in Maryland, as well as national forests and other federal properties. According to the National Parks Conservation Association, during the last government shutdown in January, a third of national park sites were completely closed. Gates at many other park sites remained open but few staff were on hand, and visitors centers and restrooms remained locked. The NPCA said the guidance provided by the Department of Interior is unlikely to change but the effect could differ from park to park.

Hogan sent a letter to congressional leaders Friday calling for compromise, on behalf of governors across the U.S. It was also signed by Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat.

“Governors compromise every day. We must work with partners in our legislatures and with stakeholders throughout our states," wrote Hogan and Bullock — the vice-chair and chair, respectively, of the nonpartisan National Governors Association. "It is not a choice; it is a necessity to ensure the citizens we serve in our states – the same ones you represent at the national level – have access to the basic functions that allow them to lead good lives."

The letter was addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Paul Ryan and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

"A federal shutdown is indicative of a government that is not working," the governors wrote. "Governors are not able to entrench ourselves and enter stalemates that shut down our governments. States are better than that – and so too is the federal government.”

After a meeting with House Republican leaders on Thursday, chances of a shutdown seemed even more likely when Ryan said the president had informed them he would not sign a spending bill passed by the Senate.

“It’s unacceptable to punish hardworking federal employees because Washington can't get its act together," Hogan said in a letter earlier in the week. "It's time for our leaders to end the dysfunction and come together to find common sense solutions instead of shutting down the government. Enough is enough."

Shutdown today if Democrats do not vote for Border Security!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 21, 2018

Mitch, use the Nuclear Option and get it done! Our Country is counting on you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 21, 2018

The Senate passed a stopgap funding bill on Wednesday that keeps the government funded past Friday. The temporary funding bill would keep the government running until Feb. 8, but some Republicans say it’s better to fight for the border wall now, before they relinquish their majority in the House to Democrats in the new year. Trump had originally demanded $5 billion to fund the border wall but White House officials said earlier this week he was willing to settle for far less. The current bill offers $1.3 billion for border security, but the appropriation cannot be used to build a wall.

House Republicans say they will continue to work to come up with a deal. In the meantime, here’s a look at what would happen if lawmakers are unable to reach a deal that keeps the government sufficiently funded.

A report prepared by Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee says that around 800,000 federal workers would be furloughed or have to work without pay.

The shutdown would affect nine federal departments, including Homeland Security, Transportation, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, State and Justice, The Associated Press reports.

The report prepared by Democratic senators on the Appropriations Committee also lays out what specific groups the shutdown would affect. Here’s what the report says:

• Farmers would suffer, as the USDA will close local and state farm service centers across the U.S.
• Over 30 million small businesses would no longer have access to federally-assisted loans and technical assistance.
• The Federal Housing Administration would see “significant delays in loan processing and approvals.”
• Local jurisdictions would not be able to move forward with Community Development Block Grant projects.
• With the shutdown of national parks, economies of local communities that depend on them for tourism would be affected.
• Civil litigation, payment to victims and training for state and local law enforcement would stop during a shutdown.
• Companies petitioning to avoid tariff on steel and aluminum products would not be able to do so.
• Food banks that receive commodities from the USDA would be affected.
• Small and remote rural communities that lack adequate clean drinking water would not be able to seek assistance to construct water systems.
• Payment to public housing agencies would be delayed.

Shutdown Letter 12.21.18 by on Scribd

Reporting and writing from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Pictured, the Port of Baltimore could be affected by the government shutdown. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)