It’s looking increasingly likely that the federal government will partially shut down at midnight Friday, after President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he would not sign a spending bill that does not include funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Though the House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday that includes this funding, the deal is considered dead on arrival in the Senate, as Democrats staunchly oppose it.
At issue is funding for nine of 15 Cabinet-level departments and dozens of agencies, including the departments of Homeland Security, Transportation, Interior, Agriculture, State and Justice, as well as national parks and forests.
But many federal agencies already have funding appropriated for the remainder of the fiscal year and would not be affected, including Health and Human Services, Education, Labor, and Defense.
The Massachusetts Office for Administration and Finance says that the impact of a partial shutdown on state agencies would depend on federal agencies’ contingency plans. The office has asked state agencies for information in order to do a full analysis of what the effect might be on the state.
For now, if you’re worried that a shutdown will ruin your holiday travel plans, don’t be. Spokespeople for transportation agencies in Massachusetts say it’ll be business as usual.
Massport, the agency in charge of Logan Airport, points out that TSA, air traffic control and customs are essential federal employees and will continue working.
The MBTA says a shutdown would not impact services for customers, and Amtrak, which receives almost $2 billion in federal funding, said in a statement:
“Amtrak will continue normal operation of its passenger rail network in the event of a short-term federal government shutdown. Customers planning to travel on Amtrak trains in the Northeast Corridor and across the country in the coming days and weeks can be assured that Amtrak will remain open for business.”
Holiday package deliveries also won’t be affected, as the U.S. Postal Service is an independent agency.
The holidays may not look so bright for many federal workers, however. 800,000 federal employees will face furloughs or may be forced to go without paychecks if a resolution is not reached before the midnight deadline.
Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern is among the many voices condemning Trump’s last-minute decision to refuse to sign a spending bill without funding for a wall.
“This proposal that we are being given right now is not a solution. It is a political temper tantrum, all to please one man,” McGovern said on the House floor Thursday. “It doesn’t solve the disagreements in this chamber or the Senate. It doesn’t prevent the shutdown America is facing.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
