Letter to Constiuents About the Potential Government Shutdown

Letter

Dear Friends,

As your representative in Washington, I am committed to avoiding a government shutdown. A shutdown would affect millions of Americans, threaten vital services they have already paid for, and jeopardize our nation's economic recovery.

Compromise is a virtue, not a vice. I remain hopeful that a shutdown can still be prevented; while I cannot guarantee success, rest assured that I will work hard to avoid that unnecessary outcome.

In the last month, I've met the Republicans more than half way by voting for two of their short-term bills to continue government operations. I continue to believe we can make government more efficient and support smart budget cuts. The challenge today is that Republicans are holding up an agreement on the budget to prevent women from having access to preventative health care and cancer screenings.

I'm asking my Republican colleagues to set aside their social agenda for a different day and focus now on fiscal responsibility and keeping the government open. I'm committed to serving all the people of southern Minnesota, including the women who have a right to access high-quality health care services.

My offices continue to receive many calls from individuals seeking information on the possible shutdown and I wanted to make the following information available to you regarding government services in the event a shutdown does unfortunately occur.

These critical services would not cease:

Social Security checks for seniors, people with disabilities and survivors would still go out. But new Social Security applications will likely not be processed during any shutdown, as during in the previous shutdowns.

Troops would continue to serve, though their pay could be put on hold.

Critical homeland security functions such as border security would continue.

The Postal Service, which is self-funded, will continue to operate.

The FAA would keep the air traffic control system open and safe.

However, some services would likely be affected:

Unemployment benefits: The federal funds that help states pay the costs of their unemployment programs could be affected depending on the length of the shutdown.

Veterans' services: While VA hospitals will remain open, veterans' benefits could be delayed or reduced, as was the case during the last shutdown. This potentially includes burial of recently deceased veterans at our National Cemetaries.

National parks: National parks and the National Wildlife Refuge Systems would be among the first places to close if the government shuts down.

Passports: Passport and visa applications will not be processed. In the 1996 shutdown, over 200,000 passport applications and 30,000 daily visa applications went unprocessed.

IRS: Processing of tax refunds for some returns would be suspended.

FHA: New home loan guarantees may cease, creating challenges for home buyers and sellers.

SBA: Approval of applications for business loan guarantees and direct loans to small businesses would likely cease, impacting the engines of our economy and potentially slowing the economic recovery.

USDA: Farm loans and farm payments would cease.

Museums: National museums, including the Smithsonian Institution, would close in the event of a government shutdown.

Access to the U.S. Capitol: Guide and staff-led tours of the Capitol will be cancelled. The House Gallery will remain open.

My staff and I are working hard to avoid a shutdown of our government, and we will strive to answer any questions you may have should a shutdown occur.

Sincerely,

Tim Walz
Member of Congress

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