How A Shutdown Might Disrupt Alabama’s Essential Services
While Democrats and Republicans debate, the clock is ticking on a potential federal government shutdown at midnight tomorrow night. It would have a significant impact on Alabama, which is the seventh most federal funds dependent state in the nation. A shutdown would mean cuts or delays in federal funding would affect many essential services, social programs, military personnel, and federal workers at a time the Trump Administration has already made deep cuts.
Alabama Republican U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt have publicly backed a bill designed to prevent government shutdowns by forcing Congress to stay in session until budget bills are passed.
"Shutdowns don't accomplish anything," Tuberville stated in a press release from his Washington office. "Where I come from, you stay at work until you get the job done,"
What Would be Impacted in Alabama by Shutdown?
There are some 40,000 to 47,000 federal workers in Alabama such as air traffic controllers, NASA employees, TSA screeners, court employees and military personnel who could be furloughed or forced to work without pay.
In a more across-the-board impact 111,000 Alabamians dependent on public programs would see threats to social safety programs like Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), 1 in 5 Alabamians who receive healthcare through Medicaid would see cuts and/or administrative delays.
Education, which is heavily dependent on federal funding could see funding cuts in Head Start, some grants for special education, English language learners, and afterschool programs. Federal budget cuts could also affect already cash strapped funding for Alabama Public Television.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and housing loans in rural areas could be halted which would have detrimental financial impacts on needy families.
On the business economics side, the Small Business Administration would stop processing loans, domestic food and drug safety would be compromised by layoffs to most inspection workers.
Airport delays and safety compromises may result from already short, staffed air traffic controllers and federal courts, while still open, would see delays due to short staffing.
What Would Not be Impacted?
Because they are funded separately, mail service and Social Security checks would continue but requests for new claims would be delayed.
Medicare and Medicaid would not be immediately disrupted.
Rep. Sewell Blames Republicans
“Alabama families shouldn’t be forced to pay the price for House Republicans’ inability to govern,” West Alabama Democrat Congresswoman Terri Sewell wrote in a weekend press release. "“I will continue to do everything in my power to keep the government open and protect the programs that Alabamians rely on,”
Unlike past shutdowns, this one could have a permanent impact in Alabama because President Trump has ordered the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to make some layoffs permanent if the shutdown occurs.