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How the Government Shutdown Affects Arizona

While federal lawmakers are hash out a budget, Arizona state lawmakers are preparing for the fallout. The shutdown will impact several civilian workers at military bases and almost all federal workers. The shutdown will impact thousands in Arizona

How key parts of the federal government would be affected by a shutdown:

INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
The Treasury Department’s website shows that 44 percent of the IRS’ 80,565 employees will be exempt from being furloughed during a shutdown. Approximately 45,500 IRS employees will be sent home just they prepare for the start of the tax filing season.


HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Half of the more than 80,000 employees will not report to work. Key programs will continue to function because their funding has ongoing authorization and doesn’t depend on annual approval by Congress.

Medicare, which insures 59 million seniors and disabled people, will keep going, as will Medicaid, which covers more than 74 million low-income and disabled people.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be unable to support the government’s annual seasonal flu program and their ability to respond to disease outbreaks will be significantly reduced.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Most of the 115,000 Justice Department employees have national security and public safety responsibilities that allow them to keep working during a shutdown. The employees who are “exempted” include members of the national security division, U.S. attorneys, and most of the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service and federal prison employees. Criminal cases will continue, but most civil cases will be postponed. Most law enforcement training will be canceled.

STATE DEPARTMENT
Many State Department operations will continue in a shutdown. Passport and visa processing, will not shut down. The agency’s main headquarters in Washington, in consultation with the nearly 300 embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions around the world, will draw up lists of nonessential employees who will be furloughed.

DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
The U.S. military will continue to fight wars and conduct missions around the world, including in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. All members of the military will report to work, however they will not get paid until Congress approves funding.

U.S. INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES
Employees at 17 U.S. intelligence agencies will be pared down considerably. Employees who are considered essential will have to work will do so with no expectation of a regular paycheck.

HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT
90 percent of Homeland Security employees are considered essential and will continue to perform their duties during a government shutdown. Most Customs and Border Protection and Transportation Security Administration workers will stay on the job.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be staffed at about 78 percent. The Secret Service, will retain their 5,700 employees during the shutdown.

INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
The Interior Department says national parks and other public lands will remain as accessible as possible. Governor Doug Ducey has stated that the Grand Canyon will remain open.

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
More than half of the Department of Transportation’s employees will continue working during a shutdown. The majority of those staying on the job are with the Federal Aviation Administration, which operates the nation’s air traffic control system. Controllers and aviation, pipeline and railroad safety inspectors are among those who would continue to work.