Scroll Top
Offices in Dallas (Main Office) & Houston, Texas

Effects of the potential government shutdown

A partial government shutdown is imminent if Congress does not reach a consensus on government funding by 12:01AM tonight (December 21st).

Last night, the House passed a continuing resolution which would extend government funding through early February 2019. This bill included the $5 billion for the border wall between Mexico and the U.S., which President Trump has continually demanded, and the bill is likely to be rejected in the Senate. No alternatives have been presented so far, with time quickly running out.

In the event of a shutdown, all unfunded government agencies would cease to operate beyond the duties of essential personnel. While 75% of government budgets have already been approved through October 2019, the upcoming shut down would affect services such as the Department of Health and Human Services and the Internal Revenue Service. In regards to immigration-related services, the Department of Labor will remain unaffected, as it has already been funded. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is funded by filing fees, so it will continue to conduct business normally. Customs and Border Patrol as well as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement are considered “essential”, and will also continue to function.