How A Federal Government Shutdown Effects Wyoming

Once again, your federal government has shut down.

News media and politicians try to make it sound like it's the end of the world.

Let's take a look at what will actually close in the state of Wyoming and what will remain open.

Governor Gordon's office sent out the following memo on how Wyoming handles federal government shutdowns.

During previous federal government shutdowns, Wyoming continued to fund state employee positions that were fully or partially federally funded. The state intends to do the same for this potential shutdown.

Wyoming will cover any gaps in funding of the federal government’s commitments to state employees (those in the state budget) in the short term, so that citizens are not unnecessarily impacted.

In the event of a protracted shutdown, Wyoming will be forced to make decisions on how best to proceed, which may include suspending federally funded contracts and programs and/or furloughing federally funded state employees.

“Any state funds expended under federal obligation during the shutdown are expected, though not guaranteed, to be reimbursed by the federal government,” Gordon’s chief of staff Perkins’s memorandum stated. “Wyoming is not unfamiliar with the impacts of gridlock in Washington DC, and as we live within our means, the State is well-prepared in the event of a federal government shutdown.”

Programs that would continue

Social Security recipients would still receive their checks during a shutdown as it is considered mandatory government spending.

Medicare and Medicaid coverage would continue, but some of its other non-essential operations, like the Medicare Call Center, would cease.

Here's what's typically open and closed during a government shutdown.

Veterans Affairs medical centers would remain open, and benefits would still be delivered.

Military personnel would continue working, but would not be paid. That pay will be made up for after the shutdown.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.
An OMB official confirmed to the Washington News Bureau that ICE and CBP would continue operating.

Air Traffic Control, Transportation Security Administration.
Air traffic controllers and TSA agents would continue working, but would not be paid. Travelers could face longer lines and delays.

U.S. Postal Service is independently funded through the sale of its products and is not affected by shutdowns.

Programs that could temporarily continue may be limited

SNAP and WIC programs.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are expected to continue in the short term, but future payments depend on how much contingency funding exists.

Programs that would close.

National Park Service
National Park Service sites would generally be closed, according to a March 2024 memo, but it is unclear to what extent. The Department of the Interior has yet to publish its latest contingency plans online.

Many loan and grant services
Federal loans to small businesses under the Small Business Administration would cease, as would Federal Housing Administration loans.