Government Shutdown
Government Shutdown: What you need to know
On Wednesday, October 1 as of 12:01 AM the federal government entered a temporary government shutdown that will affect a variety of services and programs. For updates and information regarding the shutdown, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
During the shutdown, essential services are still available — authorities will continue to enforce laws, respond to emergencies, and maintain our national defense.
If you currently have an open case with a federal agency with my office, please know my staff will still be available to service your requests; however, some federal employees will be furloughed, causing agency delays which may pause casework. If you have questions about your case, please contact my district office at 865-EDWARDS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the government shut down?
As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, I worked diligently with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass all 12 Appropriations bills out of committee that are essential to keeping the government open and establishing a fiscally responsible and strong budget. However, these bills did not all pass through the Senate, and a continuing resolution (CR) was required. On September 19, 2025, House Republicans passed a clean, seven-week CR to maintain government spending levels dating back to the previous Administration. Many Democrats in the Senate have chosen to work on a partisan basis on this matter and vote “no” on this clean extension of funding. With no time left in the fiscal year, their “no” votes resulted in a government shutdown. It is my hope that they will quickly reconsider their voting decisions, and the government will reopen.
How will the shutdown impact Social Security Payments?
The Social Security Agency (SSA) will maintain all services critical to ensuring accurate and timely payment of benefits. It will be up to individual states to determine whether they can maintain limited Disability Determination Service operations and pay employees during the lapse. Benefit verifications, FOIA requests, Medicare card replacement, and training will not be available during the shutdown.
For more information, please click here.
How will the shutdown impact Medicaid/Medicare Services?
Services related to the maintenance of human life, including healthcare, are all a part of mandatory spending and will continue to be available during the shutdown period. If you have any questions or issues with your specific Medicaid or Medicare services, please reach out to my office for assistance at 865-EDWARDS.
How will the shutdown impact Hurricane Helene Recovery?
The government shutdown is devastating for Helene recovery. Most agency operations ceased, delaying the Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation application process and slowing the rate of long-overdue reimbursements to our state and local governments. All non-emergency programs, including mitigation grants and storm resilience initiatives are also halted. My office’s casework program will remain operational; however, without full agency personnel able to respond, please expect considerable delays until the shutdown ends.
If you have any questions on how the shutdown will impact your specific casework requests, please reach out to my Hendersonville office at 865-EDWARDS.
How will the shutdown impact active-duty military members?
Any activities related to our national defense and security will continue to be operational; however, members of our military will go without payment until the shutdown ends. Upon the government reopening, members of our military will receive backpay for any missed pay periods.
How will the shutdown impact Veterans Benefits and Services?
All VA Medical Centers, outpatient clinics, and vet centers will be operating as usual. VA benefits will also continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits. Burials at VA national cemeteries, applications for headstones, markers, and burial benefits processing will also continue. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals will continue to make decisions on Veterans’ cases. All services related to suicide prevention, homelessness, and caregiver support will also continue.
For information on programs and offices that may be interrupted, or more information on how the shutdown will impact veterans, please click here.
How will the shutdown impact USPS?
During the shutdown period, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) operations will not be interrupted, and all post offices will continue business as usual.
How will the shutdown impact IRS’s tax enforcement and assistance?
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) staff will continue to work for the first five business days of a shutdown, and the agency will not experience a lapse in appropriations. Normal IRS operations are expected to continue.
For more information, please click here.
How will the shutdown impact the State Department including services such as passport processing, visas, and travel assistance?
To maintain national security and the safety of American citizens both at home and abroad all U.S. consular operations both domestically and abroad will maintain operational including aiding with passports, visas, and helping U.S. citizens abroad. All U.S. embassies and consulates abroad will also remain operational to ensure national security.
For more information, please click here.
How will the shutdown impact the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
During a government shutdown, national parks and other federally funded recreational facilities close until the government reopens. That means all National Park Service sites, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest, Nantahala National Forest, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park will not be operational. Geographically, these sites will remain open, but roads for through traffic, visitor centers, restrooms, and trash collection are closed.
For more information, please click here.
My official statement on the Government Shutdown
"Democrats in the House and the Senate have chosen partisan politics over the safety and security of the American people – a true injustice to millions of Americans.
Instead of passing a clean CR that would add $22.5 billion to the Disaster Relief Fund — funding that could go a long way in WNC recovery — my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have chosen political showmanship.
Voting ’no’ to fund the government halts payments to the men and women of our armed forces, weakens border security, opens the door to hardship on America’s seniors, and blocks much-needed relief for the victims of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina.
The government must reopen. The people of NC-11 and others across the country cannot wait. This is bigger than politics – this is about people’s lives."