Guam Delegate James Moylan says a brief partial federal government shutdown is set to begin at midnight Eastern time after the Senate amended a House funding bill and the House did not reconvene before the deadline.
In a statement released Saturday, Moylan said the Senate approved changes to H.R. 7148, advancing five of the six remaining major appropriations bills and providing a short-term extension for the Department of Homeland Security. Because the House is scheduled to return Monday, funding will temporarily lapse for several parts of the federal government.
Affected areas include Defense; Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; National Security and the Department of State; Transportation and Housing and Urban Development; Homeland Security; and Financial Services and General Government, Moylan said.
Other agencies already funded for the full year will not be impacted. These include programs under the Agriculture; Legislative Branch; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; Commerce, Justice, and Science; Interior and Environment; and Energy and Water appropriations bills.
Moylan emphasized that key benefits and services for Guam residents are expected to continue during the lapse.
“Importantly for Guam, SNAP and WIC benefits will continue, and families who rely on these programs should not expect any interruption,” he said. Military operations, Transportation Security Administration screening, postal services, Social Security, Medicare and Veterans Affairs services will also remain operational.
Moylan said he is in contact with congressional staff and federal agencies to help ensure essential services for Guam are not disrupted. The House is expected to vote on the Senate amendment Monday.
Residents with questions or who need assistance during the funding lapse can contact Moylan’s office for help, he added.