The three-month Continuing Resolution (CR) was unveiled late Tuesday. After its contents were digested throughout the day yesterday, the dynamics around the CR passing changed drastically last night. A government shutdown starting at midnight Saturday is now a very real possibility. While a shutdown is possible, it is important to keep in mind that only certain parts and functions of the federal government would be shut down and federal employees will be furloughed. Many parts of the academic research community will feel the impact of the shutdown.
A host of basic federal functions and services will be temporarily shut down, with federal employees furloughed. For example, while National Parks may remain open (they have been closed during shutdowns), they will be devoid of staff and services. Visa processing will cease and State Department employees in consulates overseas will not be able to do any screening.
Many of the functions related to the federal research enterprise, such as the processing and reviewing of grant applications, will be temporarily unavailable. Significant portions of the funding agencies’ staff will be furloughed, and they will be legally prohibited from performing any of their duties, so all work products including emails, phone calls, etc. are prohibited. Questions related to proposals, applications, and other issues will not be answered during the shutdown.
Activities deemed essential will continue, however, even during a shutdown. Employees of the Transportation Security Administration will continue to screen passengers at airports. Members of the military will continue to be on duty and serve, but those who manage shipbuilding will be furloughed. The Social Security Administration will continue to process monthly checks to seniors. However, none of these essential workers will be paid for their efforts during the shutdown.
Even at the agencies forced to shut down many of their functions, a number of employees and activities are classified as “essential” employees, meaning that they would still be working and functioning throughout the shutdown to maintain the agencies’ critical services. In the academic context, examples include continuing to support labs with animal subjects. Agencies prepare for shutdown scenarios and each agency updates its policies regarding employees and functions that are considered “essential.” Each agency is prepared for this latest potential shutdown.
As a result of change in law after the last shutdown, each federal employee is guaranteed back-pay from their furlough. Unfortunately, federal contractors have no such guarantee.
Please continue to check this space for updates.