Since our report last week, there has been no resolution to the federal government shutdown, which started on October 1.
The League’s federal partner, the National League of Cities (NLC) does not expect this shutdown to mirror prior shutdowns. In the past, during shutdowns, federal agencies have kept essential staff working at least for a week or two. That does not appear to be the case during this shutdown.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has instructed federal agencies on how to prepare for a shutdown.
OMB has also issued guidance to agencies regarding permanent reductions-in-force (RIF) based on, in their view, the minimal number of employees necessary to carry out statutory functions once appropriations are enacted. Agency Contingency Plans that are posted include:
In a shutdown, federal agencies must discontinue all non-essential discretionary functions until new funding legislation is passed and signed into law.
Essential services will continue to function along with mandatory spending programs. The Executive Branch has wide latitude during a partial shutdown. When more information becomes available, we will share it.
We have reached out to the members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation, and as of this writing, Senator Cory Booker, Congressman Donald Norcross, Congressman Herb Conaway, Congressman Josh Gottheimer, Congresswoman Watson Coleman, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, and Congressman Rob Menendez have posted guidance information on their websites. When additional members post information, we will share it in future updates.
We will continue to monitor this situation and report.
Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.