Federal Government Shutdown Averted 12-22-24

A much reduced Continuing Resolution passed the House to fund the Federal Government through March 2025. 

What federal agencies are affected by shutdown?

There are nine federal departments affected by the Trump Shutdown: Homeland Security, Treasury, Agriculture, Interior, HUD, Justice, Commerce, Transportation, and State. In addition, numerous critical smaller independent agencies, including EPA, the Small Business Administration, and NASA, are affected. Most of the employees in these Agencies continue to work except for National Parks and Museums. They are closed.

Employees in these Agencies are paid for the time lost in the shutdown after the shutdown is over. It’s a paid vacation that is paid retroactively.

Who is exempt from government shutdown?

Who are “exempt” employees? In the context of shutdown furloughs, the term “excepted” is used broadly to refer to employees whose work is funded through annual appropriations but who are not furloughed because they are performing tasks that, by law, are allowed to continue during a lapse in appropriations. Many of these employees are in the nine Federal Agencies affected, but continue to work and are paid.

Congress needs to end this practice and replace it with a Law that continues to fund all agency employees at current levels with no increases in cost and no openings for additions to costs. The current “shutdown rule” needs to end.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader