Andy Harris

10/03/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/03/2025 17:02

Constituent Government Shutdown Outreach

On the morning of October 1st, 2025, a government shutdown took effect after funding authorization expired for the federal government.

House Republicans passed bipartisan legislation to keep the government open, fully funded, and serving the American people. Unfortunately, that responsible plan has been blocked in the Senate as House and Democrats continue to demand $1.5 trillion in unrelated liberal priorities instead of voting to keep the government open.

Despite the shutdown, my office will remail open without delay to constituent services, but we will not be able to arrange tours of the United States Capitol, the White House, federal agencies, or other landmarks for constituents visiting Washington, D.C. at this time.

Services That Will Remail in Effect:

Airport Security: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) continues unaffected. Travelers may face longer wait times going through airport security.

Air Traffic Control: Operations are deemed essential and will go unaffected.

FEMA: Emergency response functions will remain operational.

Medicare and Medicaid: Operations are deemed essential and will go unaffected. Benefits will not be impacted during a government shutdown.

Passports: Standard processing currently takes 4-6 weeks. During a shutdown, delays may increase. To renew your passport or get a new passport, it is recommended that you begin the process as soon as possible. All consular services abroad will remain open.

Social Security: Payments will continue to be sent out to recipients.

U.S. Postal Service: Operations are deemed essential and will go unaffected.

Veterans Affairs: All VA hospitals and clinics will remain open. Some benefits offices and counseling services will be closed. The VA Contact Center will remain open and can be reached at 1-800-MyVA411. The Veterans Crisis Center is also available 24/7 to help veterans who call 988.

Resources for Federal Employees

OPM Operating Status
OPM Shutdown Furlough Guidance

For agency-specific details, visit your departments .gov site (e.g., https://www.dhs.gov, https://www.va.gov) and check their shutdown resource pages. 

Andy Harris published this content on October 03, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 03, 2025 at 23:02 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]