Where shutdown is taking a toll
In addition to federal employees’ pay, it’s stopping food inspections, some mortgages and work at EPA
As the partial federal government shutdown drags on, its impact is starting to make itself known in big ways — and has led to adjustments meant to lessen the fallout until a deal can be made.
Nine of 15 Cabinet-level departments, including Agriculture, Homeland Security, State, Transportation, Interior and Justice, have been closed since Dec. 22.
Here's a look at how the shutdown is shaking out so far.
Missed pay for federal workers
Roughly 800,000 federal workers are now into their second week without a paycheck.
Pennsylvania has 12,643 federal workers.
Some are among the 420,000 federal workers deemed “essential” and therefore working without pay. Others are part of the 380,000 federal workers nationally who are furloughed from their positions, uncertain of when they'll be back at their jobs.
The figures don't include employees of federal contractors, who also aren't getting paid.
Food inspections
Routine food inspections aren't getting done, but checks of the riskiest foods are expected to resume next week, the Food and Drug Administration said this week.
The agency said it's working to bring back about 150 employees to inspect riskier foods such as cheese, infant formula and produce.
The FDA oversees about three-quarters of the food supply, including packaged foods and produce. The FDA doesn't oversee meat and poultry and those inspections are continuing.
The FDA typically conducts about 8,400 domestic inspections a year, or an average of 160 a week.
Food stamps
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has found a way to keep its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits continuing through February.
The department said SNAP benefits — also known as food stamps — will be provided through a temporary measure that allows states to apply for benefits early.
The Agriculture Department also will continue other nutrition assistance programs, including school meals and a program for mothers and young children.
In Pennsylvania, 1.8 million residents — most from families with children — were enrolled in SNAP as of December, according to the department.
The temporary measure keeps the pressure off food banks.
U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-7th District, said this week Lehigh Valley food banks expect a 12fold increase in those seeking assistance if the shutdown drags out long enough to cause a lapse in SNAP funding.
Air travel
So far, the Transportation Security Administration says there's little or no difference in staffing levels. But other airtravel organizations are citing delays and at least one travel expert is warning fliers to give themselves an extra half-hour.
On Tuesday a TSA spokesman acknowledged that absences are up slightly among its 51,000 officers.
On Monday, he said, the agency counted 4.6 percent of officers out with unscheduled absences. That compares with 3.8 percent on the same day a year ago.
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service is operating but on a limited basis.
Only certain employees — including meteorologists — must report to work.
They're still issuing forecasts and posting on social media. But all other duties not related to providing critical forecasts and weather warnings have been suspended.
EPA
All but 800 or so of the Environmental Protection Agency's nearly 14,000 employees were furloughed Dec. 29.
The EPA said its websites are not being updated, except in the event of an environmental emergency.
The EPA said it will responsd to Superfund sites if there is an immediate threat to human life.
New home buyers
The shutdown could delay new mortgages for some homeowners.
The portion of the Internal Revenue Service that focuses on income validation for new mortgages was not deemed an essential function, said Pete Mills, senior vice president of residential policy at the Mortgage Bankers Association.
That means home buyers who need income verification when seeking mortgages could see a delay — particularly workers who do not receive regular income documentation.
Government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have continued operations. Qualified borrowers are also expected to be able to proceed with Federal Housing Administration loans.
IRS
The Internal Revenue Service this week said it will officially kick off tax season Jan. 28, shutdown or not. The IRS said it will also “provide refunds to taxpayers as scheduled.” The deadline to file tax returns remains April 15.
The IRS said it will begin recalling a significant portion of its workforce, which is currently furloughed as part of the shutdown.
The IRS said Congress has directed the payment of all tax refunds through a permanent, indefinite appropriation.
National Parks
Many national parks remain open, but piles of garbage and human waste have begun to pile up as rangers and employees have been told to stay home.
At the 70,000-acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, several sites are accessible, according to The Pocono Record.
Morning call staff, The Associated Press, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Detroit Free Press and The Washington Post contributed to this report.