What the Shutdown Means for the Marianas

While the federal government has begun shutting down, many essential services will continue here at home. Social Security and Medicare payments will go out, Medicaid and passport processing are unaffected, and VA medical services will continue. Active-duty military will remain on duty but may see pay delayed until funding is restored. Mail delivery and airport operations will not be disrupted. Some services may be delayed, including federal housing and small business loans, and new student aid disbursements once current funds are exhausted. Visitors may still enjoy American Memorial Park, but the visitor center is closed and planned events are postponed. The Nutrition Assistance Program reports its operations remain unaffected, and progress on the EBT card system is on track. Foreign labor certification processing through the U.S. Department of Labor has been suspended pending new funding. Despite the lapse in funding, my congressional offices will remain open to assist anyone needing help with federal agencies. Take a look at the attached links, many of which lead to each department’s contingency plan that outlines the actions they will take to respond to a funding lapse. As new information becomes available, I will continue updating the community through our social media channels.