Much of the federal government is set to shut down Oct. 1 unless Congress extends the current funding authority. Depending on how long the shutdown lasts, significant effects could be felt in Florida.
In previous shutdowns in 2018-2019 and in 2013, non-essential federal workers were furloughed, closing down most federal agency functions and freezing federal funds that would flow to the state.
Republicans have control of Congress, and the U.S. House has passed a stopgap funding measure to keep the government funded into November, but it hasn’t passed the U.S. Senate, where 60 votes are needed to overcome a filibuster. Republicans only hold a 53-47 advantage over Democrats in that chamber.
That means Republicans need Democratic votes, and Democrats have insisted on including an extension of the subsidies for some Affordable Health Care Act marketplace plans. The subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year and Democrats fear that will price millions out of the plans, leaving them without health coverage.
In Florida about 95,000 federal workers could be affected, but employees at some key agencies, such as the Department of Defense, and those related to emergency management, such as the National Hurricane Center in Miami could continue to work.
National Guard members could be furloughed, but that could be reversed if a major storm approaches, as happened during the 2013 shutdown when Tropical Storm Karen neared the Gulf Coast close to Pensacola.
This time around, however, Florida has further backup if a storm expected to be named Imelda were to batter the state. Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed for the resurrection of the Florida State Guard, which relies on state funds and could be used if a hurricane hits.
Even a small shutdown could have widespread effects.
National parks would be shuttered, and even federal agencies that still function would likely operate with a fraction of their usual personnel.
For example, agencies that help process loans, such as the Federal Housing Authority, the Small Business Administration, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Housing and Urban Development could take more time processing applications.
When federal workers would be paid, though, would be up in the air. Federal workers typically receive back pay once a shutdown ends, but Republicans in the past have balked at approving back pay for federal contractors.
President Donald Trump has also pledged to cull the federal workforce and enact permanent layoffs in the event of a shutdown, rather than merely furlough workers.
Florida government
A short shutdown wouldn’t greatly disrupt state government operations, but a lengthier shutdown of many weeks would require state agencies to scramble. Florida’s budget relies on $36 billion from the federal government, about 32% of the total spending plan.
Most of those funds are set for health care programs, with the biggest being Medicaid. Federal funds are typically released in tranches and the agencies that administer the program would be able to manage under a short shutdown scenario.
Even during a longer shutdown, programs could still function, but could be disrupted.
During the 2018-2019 shutdown, which lasted from Dec. 22 to Jan. 25, the Department of Children and Families released Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for February on Jan. 20. The early release meant the next round of benefits wasn’t given out until March, leaving recipients to stretch their benefits to make do.
In 2013, when then-President Barack Obama refused to approve funding bills passed by U.S. House Republicans that defunded the Affordable Care Act, then-Gov. Rick Scott’s administration warned state agencies not to use state money to backfill federal funding.
“We expect our leaders to resolve their differences and get this fixed,” Scott said at the time. “The buck stops with the president. He needs to get a budget deal done. This is about responsible governing. The president needs to call everyone to the table to get a deal done. That’s what we do in Florida.”
Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at grohrer@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida braces as federal shutdown looms