Four Things That Won't Change in the Government Shutdown

By Beth Lawton

As the shutdown begins Tuesday, the federal government does not stop functioning completely, according to The Washington Post. 

"By law, certain agencies must operate with unsalaried employees," the report notes. "They include those that deal with national security and the safety of people and property.” 

The government last shut down due to a budget impasse from Nov. 13 – 19, 1995, and again from Dec. 15, 1995 to Jan. 6, 1996.

What won't change

1. You will still get your mail from the U.S. Postal Service.
2. Social Security, Medicare and unemployment insurance payments would continue as scheduled, according to government sources.
3. Military members, air traffic controllers and border patrol agents would stay on the job, as would essential law enforcement personnel. While active military will stay on the job at home and abroad, non-essential civilian military employees would be placed on furlough.
4. Members of Congress are considered “essential,” so they would stay on the job and be paid. Most Congressional staffers will be furloughed.

In the 1995 and 1996 shutdowns, many federal employees were paid retroactively for the days they were furloughed. Whether that will happen this year remains to be seen, NPR reported.