Compilation of Facts and Figures on Government Shutdown

Government Shutdown Facts and Figures:

• The United States is on the verge of its 22nd government shutdown.
• A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to approve or resolve disagreements about the federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Congress has until September 30 to reach an agreement on government funding for the fiscal year, 2024.
• The last and longest government shutdown started on December 22, 2018, and went on until January 25, 2019 (34 days).
• Most government agencies must furlough their non-essential workers and stop or limit their activities during a government shutdown.
• Per the Department of Homeland Security:
  • 72% of the DHS workforce would be required to work without pay. Those working without pay include law enforcement officers, analysts, investigators, and disaster response officials.
  • CBP agents and officers working at over 300 ports of entry and protecting more than 6,000 miles of border under challenging circumstances would be required to continue performing their vital missions without pay.
  • Reduced Cybersecurity and Physical Security Support to the Nation’s Critical Infrastructure.
  • Slowed Deployment of Advanced Security Technology at Airports.
  • Long-term Impacts to Hiring and Onboarding.
• For Partner Government Agencies, the impact will depend on the agency.
• For those agencies that have automated systems in place, any physical review or exam may be limited or delayed.
• For agencies like United States Department of Agriculture, the US Food and Drug Administration, staffing will be impacted which could directly impact timely review and clearance of your cargo.
• Per FDA contacts GEODIS has been advised that entries will still be reviewed by their personnel, the staffing is limited however, and they still do not know how many will be working.
• Per shut down guidance issued in 2019 the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the event of a lapse in appropriations, the agency may continue only those activities that are exempted or excepted, as described in applicable law, regulation, or guidance. Such activities may only be carried out by employees who are designated exempt or excepted.
• As of 9/27/23, CPSC has provided feedback to inquiring trade groups that “At this time, we are still working through our shutdown procedures. We will stay in touch and update you as soon as we have additional information. We appreciate your patience.” Additionally, they have advised “The system has capabilities to coordinate based upon the data provided. If staff are unavailable, physical review will correspondingly be limited.
• In regard to the CPSC Beta Pilot, CPSC has advised that they have contract employees and will be funded so Pilot will not be delayed. It will not be fully operational, but still moving forward as scheduled.
• For the Fish and Wildlife Service issuance of licenses and permits may be impacted.
• As of 9/27/2023 the Environmental Protection Agency has provided feedback to trade associations that they have not yet received direction on operations should one occur. Information will be provided when available.
• Sec 232 exclusions submitted will not be reviewed during a lapse in government funding until the “government is open.”
• Trade Remedy is still looking at a workaround for Steel and/or Aluminum Licenses. They are considering a “general license” number for each in the event of lapse in government funding.