By Kasandra Rattle

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The federal government shut down on Wednesday, causing disruptions to services and leaving many employees furloughed or working without pay. Federal offices in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. remain “open and ready to assist” with Social Security, immigration, and veterans’ benefits, according to the House of Representatives.

The government shutdown has affected several services, including Food and Drug Administration inspections, National Park operations, and immigration courts in the past. In Sacramento County, which has nearly 5,000 federal employees, the impact is not yet clear. Essential services such as inpatient care and air traffic control are continuing, and the Postal Service, Social Security, and Medicare remain in operation, though some interruptions are possible, as reported by the House of Representatives.

A possible government shutdown could leave federal employees furloughed or working without pay. The Congressional Budget Office reported that the 2018–2019 shutdown cost the U.S. economy $11 billion. To prevent a shutdown, Congress must pass funding bills and the President must sign them. Some federal services, including tours of sites in Washington, D.C., have already been halted, and delays in air travel are possible. Benefits such as SNAP and VA services are expected to continue for now, as stated by the House of Representatives.