Axios: The effects of the government shutdown are still ongoing
Axios reported that the end of the longest government shutdown in US history doesn’t mean that the unrest is over and some of its impact could last into the holiday season.
“Flight disruptions at major airports are likely to continue during the Thanksgiving holiday, the busiest travel holiday of the year,” According to Axios.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy told reporters on Tuesday that he wouldn’t lift air traffic restrictions until more air traffic controllers were back in action, which could take some time.
Nick Daniels, president of the National Association of Air Traffic Controllers, added that it could take at least two months for air traffic controllers to be compensated for lost compensation during the 2019 shutdown.
“Many observers resigned last week, exacerbating staff shortages in a system that was already operating with 3,800 fully accredited observers short of required,” Daniels said.
Regarding the benefits of SNAP, a USDA spokesperson told Axios on Thursday that most SNAP beneficiaries are scheduled to receive their benefits in November within 24 hours in most states.
Regarding federal workers’ wages, Axios noted that the payment of back pays to federal workers is scheduled to begin by Saturday and be completed by November 19, according to a document from the Office of Personnel Management.
“Following previous closures, late payments have been processed as soon as possible, and there is no indication at this time that this closure will be any different,” he explained.
“While payments to registered beneficiaries have continued, the shutdown has slowed or halted the processing of certain personal applications and services specified in both the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Social Security Administration, and it may take some time to pay off arrears,” Axios added.
Regarding the low-income home energy assistance program, the website explained that nearly 6 million households didn’t receive the federal program as temperatures dropped across the country.
According to the National Energy Development Agency report, about one in six, or 21.5 million households, are behind on their energy bills, an estimate that could get worse as electricity bills rise.
US President Donald Trump signed a government funding bill to end the longest government shutdown in US history, causing disruptions in vital economic sectors in the country and leaving hundreds of thousands of workers without pay, while Democrats and Republicans have blamed for the budget crisis.
