Standing Against a Needless Shutdown

Dear Friend,

On Friday, September 19, 2025, I joined the majority of the House of Representatives in voting for a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open through November 21, 2025, giving Congress time to negotiate full-year funding legislation.

Liberals in D.C. flatly rejected this commonsense measure—at the very same spending levels they themselves supported just months ago. Instead, they chose political theater, demanding extreme policy concessions unrelated to funding the government, including:

    •    Liberals demanded taxpayer-funded free healthcare for illegal immigrants.

    •    Liberals demanded elimination of work requirements for able-bodied adults on taxpayer-funded benefits.

    •    Liberals demanded cutting $50 billion from rural healthcare, hurting hospitals and clinics in vulnerable communities.

    •    Liberals demanded $1.5 trillion in new government spending.

As a result, liberals in D.C. have forced a needless and harmful government shutdown—holding the paychecks of federal employees and even our military hostage to their partisan agenda. That is unacceptable. I have requested that my own pay be withheld for the duration of the shutdown, because Members of Congress should not be paid when federal employees are going without.

In the meantime, I want to provide you with information on how the shutdown may affect you and your family, and to answer some of the most common questions constituents have raised.

My Offices

My offices will remain open and my team and I will continue working throughout the government shutdown. This year alone, we have responded to hundreds of thousands of messages, emails, and phone calls, and we will keep responding during the shutdown. We have also helped Pennsylvanians recover thousands of  dollars owed to them by federal agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Social Security Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Unfortunately, some of this work will be affected, as many federal departments and agencies will not be processing casework during the shutdown. If you are experiencing an issue with a federal agency, please call my office at 717-393-0667 or fill out this form, and we will work with you on the paperwork that must be completed so we can file your case as soon as we are able.  

During the shutdown, my office will also be unable to process flag requests or schedule tours of the United States Capitol and other landmarks in Washington, D.C. However, if you are visiting our nation’s capital, my office will remain open to welcome you.

Social Security

The Social Security Administration is mandatory spending for the federal government meaning funding is already approved. If you are a Social Security recipient, you will receive your Social Security payment without disruption. However, some services such as benefit verifications and disability claims may experience delays in processing. 

Medicare and Medicaid

During a lapse in appropriations, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will continue to operate the Medicare program, along with other non-discretionary activities such as Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control (HCFAC) and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). CMS has sufficient funding to support Medicaid through the first quarter of FY 2026. 

Veterans Affairs (VA)

All VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers will be open. VA benefits, including compensation, pension education, and housing benefits will continue to be processed. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals will also continue to operate normally. The VA Contact Center will remain open and can be reached at 1-800-MyVA411. The Veterans Crisis Center is also available 24/7 to help veterans who call 988. Unfortunately, some VA services will be impacted by the shutdown. Regional benefits offices will be closed, along with the GI Bill hotline, a career counseling.

TSA and FAA

Airport screeners, air traffic controllers, Federal Air Marshals, and safety inspectors are deemed essential by their respective agencies, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, travelers may experience longer wait times at airport security checkpoints. If you have a flight scheduled, I recommend arriving at the airport earlier than usual to ensure you have enough time to get through security.

U.S. Postal Service

U.S. Postal Service will not be interrupted. 

Passports 

Currently, routine passport applications take approximately 4–6 weeks to process. The shutdown may result in additional delays. If you are planning to renew your passport or apply for a new one, I strongly encourage you to begin the process as soon as possible. For those already overseas, U.S. consular services will continue to be available.

My team and I remain at work throughout this government shutdown to assist constituents in Pennsylvania’s 11th District, and I look forward to helping bring this situation to a swift resolution. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Lloyd Smucker
Member of Congress