Tens of thousands of federal workers both in Kentucky and around the country could be furloughed days before the holidays if congressional leaders don’t find a solution to avert a looming government shutdown.
A bipartisan agreement that would’ve funded the government into March died Wednesday after President-elect Donald Trump ordered Republicans to oppose it, causing lawmakers to scramble Thursday and find a solution before Congress adjourns.
The bill is more than 1,500 pages long and includes a variety of add-ons. Those include more than $100 billion for disaster relief for states hit by hurricanes, health care measures to lower drug costs and pay raises for members of Congress, USA TODAY reported.
When could the federal government shut down?
Current government funding expires Friday night when Congress is scheduled to adjourn for the holidays. If a funding bill is not passed by then, the shutdown would begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
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How many federal government employees are there in Kentucky?
According to data from the U.S. Census and U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Kentucky has 22,079 federal civilian employees. They have an average salary of $82,140.
When was the last government shutdown?
The federal government has closed down 21 times since 1977, most recently in 2018.
How long do government shutdowns last?
It varies. Of all the shutdowns, the longest took place the last time Donald Trump was president, which lasted more than a month and cost the economy about $3 billion. The average number of days among all shutdowns since 1977 is eight.
Do government employees get paid during a government shutdown?
No. During a shutdown, hundreds of thousands of federal workers, those deemed nonessential, are furloughed, or sent home without pay.
Employees who are classified as essential for critical operations in defense, energy, agriculture, and other sectors would continue to work, but without pay. They are reimbursed later.
Is mail service or the post office impacted by a government shutdown?
The U.S. Postal Service would be unaffected during a government shutdown because it does not depend on Congress for funding. Last year, an online statement posted in September 2023 by USPS said their “operations will not be interrupted in the event of a government shutdown, and all Post Offices will remain open for business as usual.”
USA TODAY reporter Saman Shafiq contributed to this story.
John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Federal government shutdown would affect Kentucky employees. Here’s how many