How MA Would Be Affected By Government Shutdown

A deal to keep the government funded and avoid a partial shutdown before Christmas Day hit a serious roadblock on Thursday 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 also said the president is “continuing to weigh his options.”

On Friday morning, Trump tripled down with a Twitter rampage, saying, "Shutdown today if Democrats do not vote for Border Security!" and calling on 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 Massachusetts?

Many everyday people would hardly notice as major federal jobs continue, but many working those jobs would do so without pay. Of the roughly 800,000 federal workers that would be furloughed or have to work without pay, less than 50,000 of them are in Massachusetts, working for agencies such as the IRS and the social security administration.

Airports such as Logan would continue to function during the busy holiday travel season, but Transportation Security Administration employees and Customs and Border Patrol agents are among those employees who would have to work without pay. Federal law enforcement agents and correctional officers would also continue to work without pay.

But if you are doing something that needs federal approval, like applying for a passport or signing up for social security, you could be in a jam.

The shutdown would also affect the 15 national parks in Massachusetts, 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.

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

If the federal shutdown were to extend for some time, things could start hitting closer to home for more Massachusetts residents.

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.

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

Photo: Capitol Hill (By Drew Angerer/Getty Images)