WASHINGTON D.C.-- Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) made this statement:

There is a very real possibility the federal government will shutdown at midnight tonight due to failed attempts at budget negotiations.  President Obama has warned that the looming shutdown could introduce another level of uncertainty in an already fragile economic recovery.  House Democrats offered two opportunities for Republicans to keep the government open for a week while budget negotiations continue.These bills would have passed the Senate and been signed by the President before midnight on Friday, but were rejected by my Republican colleagues in the House.

Negotiations continue as does the legislative and constitutional work of staff essential to my office.  We have a responsibility to our constituents, who continue to need essential services even in the event of a shutdown.  We will continue to help constituents to the best of our ability, especially those who depend on the VA, Medicare, Medicaid, and timely Social Security checks.  Therefore, if the federal government does shut down, my office will maintain normal operations for our constituents.

Consequently, Congresswoman Fudge has determined that all staff of the Eleventh District of Ohio are essential employees. 

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If a shutdown happens, the government temporarily stops all "non-essential" services.  However, "essential services" will continue to operate:

• IRS—Tax forms still need to be postmarked by Monday, April 18.  Electronic tax returns should be processed, but paper returns will not be, leading to a delay in getting your refund.  
• Social Security—Benefits for this crucial program do not go through the appropriations process, so they should continue being deposited in your account or mailed to your home. However, staff cuts may delay other services such as enrolling new participants, holding hearings, or resolving problems.
• Military— While most service members and military personnel would remain on duty through a shutdown, their paychecks could be delayed.
• Medicare—Benefits for this program are also exempt from the shutdown, so current participants should not notice any disruption, but new applications could be delayed.
• Veterans—All VA medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational. Pension, disability compensation, and education benefit payments will be uninterrupted.  Refer to the Veterans Field Guide to Government Shutdown for lists of both impacted and not impacted services. 
• Visas and Passports—Prior shutdowns have kept new visa and passport applications from being processed.  Embassies will remain open for services for American citizens, but will not conduct visa interviews. 
• National Parks—National Park Service grounds, museums, and monuments will close, disrupting educational visits and vacation plans.
• Unemployment—If the shutdown continued for an extended period, the federal funds that help states pay the costs of their unemployment programs could run out, which would require the state to step in and advance the money to keep their programs running.  Otherwise, benefits would be reduced or stopped. 
• Federal Courts—Federal courts are not affected by the shutdown and remain open.
• Disaster Response—Disaster Response is not affected by the shutdown.

Additional Resources:

U.S. Office of Personnel Management - "Guidance and Information on Furlough"

Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget - "Planning for Agency Operations During a Lapse in Government Funding" 

Congressional Research Service - "Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes and Effects"

Federal Agency Contingency Plans

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