Here’s How a Government Shutdown Will Affect Oklahoma

A government shutdown is looming just before the holidays, and it could affect thousands of people in Oklahoma. From not receiving a paycheck to impacted holiday travels, a multitude of issues could unfurl if congressmembers do not pass a temporary spending agreement before midnight Friday, Dec. 20.

Earlier this week, a bipartisan government spending plan was agreed upon and set to be approved before the deadline, but on Wednesday, Dec. 18, president-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk, Trump's proposed leader of his Department of Government Efficiency, publicly opposed the bill and were reported to have been personally calling Republican lawmakers to vote no on the bill.

Now, with less than 48 hours before a spending bill needs to be passed, Republican lawmakers a scrambling to renegotiate the bill. Prior to the oppositions from Trump and Musk, the bipartisan government spending bill included over $100 million dollars in aid to states that suffered from recent hurricanes and other natural disasters, extended existing government programs and services, federal funding to repair the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Detroit that was struck by a cargo ship and give a 3.8 percent pay raise to lawmakers that would start in 2025, which would increase lawmakers' pay to $180,6000 annually.

Trump's reasoning for opposing the bill is the debt ceiling, insisting that it be raised before the current limits expire in 2025 after he takes office. Which, in itself, is a lengthy job and one that may not be able to be accomplished in less than 48 hours.

@abcnews After fierce pressure from billionaire Elon Musk, Washington is now barreling towards a possible government shutdown. Musk threatened that any lawmaker who votes for the bipartisan spending bill “deserves to be voted out in two years.” Mary Bruce has more. #news #politics #dc #abcnews ♬ original sound - ABC News

Who in Oklahoma would be affected most during a government shutdown?

Thousands of Oklahomans work for the federal government across the state. During a government shutdown, national parks and monuments will close. Soldiers will remain on their posts but civilians that hold positions within the Department of Defense and other like agencies would be sent home.

Those who are planning on traveling for the holidays could notice impacts at airports. Although TSA agents would continue to provide security checks and Air Traffic Controllers will still monitor and direct aircrafts, but they may be operating with smaller staffs which could impact travel.

Each government agency determines how they will manage during a government shutdown but determined nonessential work would cease, which could disrupt the agency's workforce. Some employees could be furloughed, meaning they keep their jobs but wouldn't return until the shutdown ends, and others could continue to work without pay and would be paid for their work during the shutdown once it ends.

@aaronparnas1
12/18
♬ original sound - Aaron Parnas

When was the last government shutdown?

Many Oklahomans who were affected by the last government shutdown in 2018 during the holiday season will remember it. Then President Trump and fellow Republicans led the government into its longest shutdown in history, which lasted 35 days from Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 25, 2019 due to disagreements on a government funding bill.

And in 2020, Trump disrupted another government spending bill before the holidays after disapproving a bipartisan COVID-19-relief bill.

If a spending bill does not pass before midnight Friday, Dec. 20, the government will immediately shutdown at 12 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. For updates regarding the current potential of a government shutdown, the Associated Press is keeping a live update of the issue on its website.