How Nevadans would be impacted by a government shutdown | Nevada | News

In what seems to be an regular occurrence, the federal government faces a partial shutdown this weekend if the Senate fails to move a funding proposal forward.

Earlier this week in a 217-213 vote, the Republican-led House passed a six-month funding measure that is now before the Senate, which has until Friday night to avoid a shutdown. In order for the resolution to be sent to President Donald Trump’s desk, at least eight Democratic senators would have to support the bill, and it’s unclear whether Republicans will be able to convince enough senators to support the measure.

Senate Democrats said they want an alternative short-term funding bill and would not help pass the House GOP funding bill known as a continuing resolution, though a significant number of Senate Democrats have kept the door open to supporting it, according to NBC News.

The funding bill would increase military spending by $6 billion and cut domestic nondefense spending. It also does not include funds for any projects in Congress members’ districts.

Here is what would be affected in the event of a partial government shutdown.

1. Airport travel may slow as employees continue working without pay.

Federal employees considered essential, such as law enforcement, air traffic controllers and TSA would continue to work, but they wouldn’t get paid during the shutdown. They’d receive their pay for the hours they worked after the shutdown concludes.

While airports will obviously stay open, travelers can expect some delays at Harry Reid International Airport if the government shuts down. During previous shutdowns, TSA officers called in sick, creating a workforce shortage in major airports, Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., previously told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

A full shutdown, similar to ones in 2013 and 2018, would likely result in the furlough of approximately 850,000 out of 2.1 million non-postal federal employees, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

It could also cost the U.S. travel economy $1 billion per week, affecting millions of American travelers, businesses and federal workers, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Previous holiday shutdowns cost the U.S. economy $11 billion.

2. National parks would likely close.

National parks would likely not be open in the event of a shutdown. Las Vegans and tourists alike would not be able to visit Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

In a 2013 shutdown, the National Park Service turned away millions of visitors to more than 400 national parks, monuments and other sites. In the 2018-2019 shutdown, many parks remained open, but visitor services were not provided and trash build-up was reported at sites, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

3. Postal Service would stay open.

The Postal Service is part of an independent agency, so mail service would continue to operate.

4. Social Security benefits would continue.

Social Security is also part of a different system, so workers would continue to work and Social Security checks would continue to be mailed out, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

5. Veteran health care would not be affected.

Veterans Affairs medical centers, outpatient clinics and vet centers would still be open, so veterans would still be able to receive health care, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

VA benefits regional offices would be closed, and the VA would not be able to provide career counseling or transition assistance program activities.

6. Military personnel could likely see impacts.

Nellis Air Force Base and Creech Air Force Base could also be affected. Active-duty service members would continue to work, but civilian personnel would be furloughed.

Contact Jessica Hill at jehill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @jess_hillyeah on X.