Information on the Government Shutdown
The most fundamental responsibility of Congress is to keep the government open. This shutdown is unacceptable. I will do everything I can to minimize the harm to San Antonians.
Answers to frequently asked questions can be found below and my office can be reached by phone at 210-348-8216.
My offices in Washington and San Antonio will remain operating and available for you and your family. Please check back for continued updates. I want to hear from you, please complete this quick survey to share how the shutdown is impacting you and your family.
As the shutdown continues, families are receiving notices of skyrocketing healthcare premiums. Republicans must negotiate to reopen the government and extend ACA premium tax credits and keep Texans insured. To learn more, click here.
FAQs
What is a government shutdown?
Every year, Congress needs to pass a new full-year appropriations bill to fund the federal government. If the bill is not passed by the end of the fiscal year in September, Congress can pass a short-term continuing resolution with temporary government funding. If neither is passed, the federal government enters a funding gap, and federal agencies are forced to operate on a limited basis.
Some agencies, like the Veterans Health Administration, are funded through multi-year appropriations and broadly continue their operations during a shutdown. In other federal agencies, many employees will be furloughed (placed on temporary leave without pay) or deemed excepted (required to work without pay). All federal workers should receive guidance from their employers about their status during a government shutdown.
As of 2019, federal law guarantees retroactive pay and leave accrual for federal employees once a shutdown ends. Non-government employees who work for federal contractors do not receive backpay unless their company provides it.
Why would the government shut down?
After failing to pass a full-year appropriations bill, the House moved to pass a continuing resolution. It failed to extend ACA premium tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of this year. The conservative majority in the Senate did not reach the 60-vote threshold to pass the House-passed continuing resolution. Democrats are united in demanding the extension of ACA premium tax credits.
In 2025, 24 million people were able to afford acess to high quality healthcare through the ACA. Of the 3.4 million Texans who got their coverage throuhg the ACA, more than 3.3 million benefited from the premium tax credits in 2024 alone. Without them, healthcare costs will go up for many Americans. In Texas, the average premium cost will increase 289 percent, or $459 annually.
Would I still receive Social Security and SSI benefits during a government shutdown?
Yes. Americans would continue to receive Social Security and SSI checks during a shutdown.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) would provide limited services like issuing Social Security cards and holding appointments for benefit applications. However, SSA would stop services like benefit verifications and the processing of overpayments, and customer wait times would increase.
How would a shutdown affect veterans?
All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities would remain operational, and veterans’ benefits would continue to be processed. However, other veterans’ services would be affected, like education and job training. Regional VA offices may be closed.
Would I still receive Medicare/Medicaid benefits during a shutdown?
Yes. Medicare services would not be affected, but new enrollments may be delayed. Anyone currently on Medicaid would continue to receive benefits for at least three months of a government shutdown.
How would a shutdown affect the military?
All active-duty and Guard and Reservists on active-duty orders wold be required to work without payfor the duration of the shutdown.
On-base non-acute healthcare centers would be closed, and on-base childcare facilities would be open on a case-by-case basis. Military retirees would continue to receive their retirement benefits, but new applications/changes would be delayed.
Will military and federal retiree beneits be suspended?
Military and federal retirees will continue to receive their retirement benefits. Processing new applications or other requested changes will be delayed.
Would travel be affected by a shutdown?
Air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents would remain on the job without pay. If some do not report to work, there would be significant delays and longer wait times.
Passport services would continue in the immediate aftermath of a shutdown but may be delayed in the event of a prolonged shutdown.
Will the mail still arrive during a shutdown?
Yes. The United States Postal Service is self-funded and would not be impacted.
Would I still need to make payments on my federal student loans during a shutdown?
Yes. Student loan borrowers are expected to resume their payments even if the government is shut down.
Would I still receive food assistance during a shutdown?
In the event of a shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has enough resources to administer benefits for the month of October. However, if a shutdown lasts into November or beyond, benefits will be drastically impacted. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program would be impacted immediately.
Are tours still offered of the U.S. Capitol and the Smithsonian Museums?
During a shutdown, all tours of the U.S. Capitol building are cancelled until further notice. However, the Smithsonian Museums and National Zoo will remain open until Saturday October 11th.
What is the impact on small business?
In prior shutdowns, the Small Business Administration (SBA) stopped processing new business laons, such as through the 7(a) and 504 programs. However, SBA's Disaster Loan Program continued regular operations.
What is the impact on federal housing loans?
In prior shutdowns, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) stopped insuring some new mortgages and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) stopped processing some new loans. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) also stopped new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA will continue to guarantee home loans.
What is the impact on disaster relief efforts?
FEMA staff will still respond to emergencies. In prior shutdowns, long-term projects were delayed due to a lack of funding in the Disaster Relief Fund.
What is the impact on food safety activities?
In prior shutdowns, some Food and Drug Administraion (FDA) food safety activities—such as routine inspections of facilities— were delayed.