Republican Shutdown

At the direction of President Trump, many federal agencies will furlough or even fire federal workers, which will slow response times or potentially suspend their services altogether. 

However, Senator Luján’s office will remain open to serve you. If you need help with a federal agency, please click here to submit your request. 

Please be aware that there may be significant delays in resolving cases with federal agencies, and some issues may not receive a response until the federal government reopens. In addition, certain constituent services, including Capitol tour and flag requests, are temporarily suspended.

White House tours were indefinitely suspended earlier this year by President Trump.

If you have been personally impacted by the shutdown or have had increases in health care costs, please share your story here.

*Additional resources will be added as information becomes available. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I continue to receive my Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks?

Recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and Supplemental Security Income checks. However, customer service wait times are expected to increase dramatically, and the Social Security Administration will stop services like benefit verifications, replacement of Medicare cards, and overpayment processing. For inquiries about your application, please contact our state office at 505-337-7023.

What support is available from New Mexico credit unions?

New Mexico credit unions are providing support for federal workers. If you’ve been impacted, reach out to your credit union directly to learn what support may be available. Support may include:

– Short-term relief loans

– Payment deferrals or loan forbearance

– Fee and penalty waivers

– Financial counseling and guidance

Learn more here.

Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?

Current Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits, assuming a Republican shutdown lasts less than three months.

However, nearly half of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services staff will be furloughed, and certain services will be paused, leading to longer wait times.

What happens to Veterans services?

All Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits will continue to be processed, and VA medical facilities and clinics will remain OPEN. However, VA call centers, hotlines, and regional offices will be temporarily closed.

Veterans will be affected by the Republican shutdown of other services they count on, including transition program assistance and career counseling.

What is the impact on U.S. military personnel and federal law enforcement?

All active-duty military personnel, including National Guard members and Reservists on active-duty orders, are required to work without pay for the duration of a Republican shutdown. Many Department of Defense civilian employees will be furloughed.

Service members’ health care will also be affected. On-base elective surgery and other routine dental and medical services will cease. However, off-base care covered by TRICARE will not be affected. Child care centers on military bases will remain open on a case-by-case basis. 

Federal law enforcement officers are also required to work without pay.

I'm a federal employee and I'm worried I won't be able to pay my gas bill.

Federal employees who are working without pay or furloughed as a result of the federal government shutdown should call New Mexico Gas Company to discuss payment arrangements for their residential service and to inquire about other available assistance.

For those federal employees, disconnections for non-payment are being suspended for the winter heating season and they will not be charged late payment penalties. Affected federal employees can also call to learn about assistance programs that are offered to all customers.

Customers can call 1-888-664-2726 or visit any of our 22 customer walk-in payment offices across New Mexico. A list of locations is available here.

Customers who are affected will need to verify their active federal employment status.

This can be done by presenting a government employee photo identification, a badge or other documentation at any NMGC walk-in office or to an NMGC field collector.

Will my mail still arrive?

Yes, post offices will remain open and mail delivery will continue. The Republican shutdown does not impact the United States Postal Service.

Will air travel be affected?

Air travel will continue, but may be impacted. Travelers may experience longer wait times at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, or delays and cancellations due to staffing issues. Air traffic controllers, TSA officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents will remain on the job without pay. If some airport employees do not report to work, as occurred during previous shutdowns, there will be significant delays and longer wait times across the country.

TSA will still accept online applications for TSA PreCheck, but the Department of Homeland Security has suspended Global Entry applications. 

What is the impact on food assistance?

The Department of Agriculture has not published updated guidance. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will continue operating during a Republican shutdown. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will continue dispersing benefits. However, funding for these programs may run out during a prolonged Republican shutdown, forcing program operations and benefits to stop. 

What does this mean for disaster relief efforts?

The majority of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff will be required to work and respond to emergencies without pay. However, long-term and non-life saving projects will be delayed due to a lack of funding. 

How will this affect environmental protection and cleanup?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will stop inspecting most hazardous waste sites, drinking water, and chemical facilities. Efforts to address dangerous contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which is linked to severe health effects, including cancer, will be delayed, and cleanup activities at Superfund sites will slow or cease.

What is the impact on housing?

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has not posted updated guidance.

The Department of Veterans Affairs will continue to guarantee home loans, and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will continue to offer single-family loans. But, FHA, HUD, and the Department of Agriculture may stop processing and insuring other new mortgages. 

Funding for federal housing assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, may be jeopardized in a prolonged Republican shutdown.

How will this affect small businesses?

The Small Business Administration (SBA) will stop processing applications for new business loans through the 7(a) and 504 programs. However, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program will continue operations with reduced staff. Borrowers are still required to make payments on SBA loans during a Republican shutdown. 

How does this affect passports and help for Americans overseas?

Consular, passport, and visa services are expected to continue. 

During a prolonged Republican shutdown, however, it may take longer to get a passport or visa. 

Since many federal buildings are expected to be closed, in-person appointments at passport agencies located in some government buildings may be limited.

How does this impact my immigration application?

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) remains open and continues to process applications. You should expect to attend interviews and appointments as scheduled.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at 505-337-7023  with any questions or concerns.

What is the impact on state and local services?

The Republican shutdown will not immediately affect any state or local services. 

However, without federal funding, some state or local governments may have to change their operations. Check with state and local agencies for specific questions. 

Can I still apply for grants from the federal government?

You are always encouraged to submit grant applications ahead of the deadline. Grants.gov is operational. However, there may be limited staff available to provide assistance. Please contact: Jesus_murillo@heinrich.senate.gov for more information. 

Will I still be able to visit National Parks and monuments?

The Department of the Interior has not published updated shutdown guidance. 

Across the country, services that require National Park Service staff — including trash removal and operating campgrounds and concessions — may be stopped. Closures will likely be determined on a location-by-location basis; open-air parks and monuments in Washington, D.C. will likely remain accessible. 

We recommend you verify the status of an attraction by visiting their website or contacting them directly before visiting.

How does this impact my trip to Washington, D.C.?

Many popular attractions will be affected. The Capitol Visitor Center will be closed, and there will be no staff-led public tours of the U.S. Capitol Building. The Library of Congress, U.S. Botanic Garden, White House, National Archives, Supreme Court, Treasury, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will be closed to tours. 

The Smithsonian museums and National Zoo are allowed to continue operating on reserve funds, but will close to the public during a prolonged Republican shutdown when that funding is gone. The Smithsonian museums and National Zoo have not announced how long they will be able to remain open.

If you booked tours through my office and wish to reschedule, please contact my Washington, D.C. office at 202-224-6621. We encourage you to contact the attraction you want to visit for more information before your trip.

I have a question that's not listed here.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at 202-224-6621 or 505-337-7023 with your questions.

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