Shutdown Resources

Statement from Congressman LaLota: 

"On September 19, 2025, I voted to pass H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — a clean, short-term funding bill to keep the federal government open and operational for 52 days. The bill’s bipartisan, temporary design was intended to prevent a shutdown while giving both parties time to negotiate the twelve long-term appropriations bills responsibly.

It was the same kind of clean, no-cuts, status-quo funding bill I voted for eight times under President Biden—even when I strongly disagreed with his border policies, lack of strategy in Ukraine, and support for allowing men to compete in women’s sports. Because keeping the government open should never be a partisan issue.

Yet Brooklyn’s Hakeem Jeffries and Long Island’s House Democrats voted against it.

In the Senate, Democrats have now rejected that same bill seven separate times, choosing a shutdown that jeopardizes Troop pay, Veterans’ care, and the jobs of 31,000 Long Island federal employees—all while demanding $1.5 trillion in new spending, including $200 billion in healthcare benefits for illegal immigrants.

Democrats once warned that shutdowns were reckless. Now, they’re leading one. I believe government shutdowns should never be used as a partisan bargaining chip. This should have been a straightforward, bipartisan vote—but Washington Democrats chose politics over the livelihoods of hardworking Long Islanders."

READ MORE FROM CONGRESSMAN LALOTA 

Can my office help you during the shutdown? 

My Hauppauge and Washington D.C. offices remain fully staffed and operational during the shutdown. My casework team in Hauppauge—which has delivered more than $12 million dollars to constituents since I was sworn into office—will continue to serve those who reach out to us for assistance with federal agencies. While it may take us longer to hear back from different agencies we are eager to help in any way that we can.

Will your federal services continue? 

Below is a list of federal services that will continue. This list is not comprehensive and may change depending on the duration of the shutdown. Services that remain available may be subject to additional delays due to staff furloughs and a temporary reduction in workforce. 

Social Security/Medicare

Social Security benefits will continue for current recipients, but there may be delays enrolling or interacting with agency staff.

Medicare benefits will continue for current recipients, but there may be delays enrolling or interacting with agency staff.

U.S. Post Office

The United States Postal Service will remain operational.

Veterans 

Veterans services such as those provided by the Veterans Health Administration and the Veterans Benefits Administration will continue. Most VA call centers, Veteran interments, and Veteran homelessness programs will continue. Other Veteran services such as benefits regional offices, some transition and career support, GI Bill and National Cemetery Applicant Assistance call centers, and public affairs outreach have been suspended.

A full guide can be found here: https://department.va.gov/contingency-planning/ 

SNAP/WIC

SNAP and WIC benefits will continue for a period of time, but may be impacted by a prolonged shutdown.

TSA

Air travel will remain operational, but travel times and TSA lines may be impacted.

Other

Pell Grants and federal student loans will continue to be disbursed. Student loan payments are still due during a government shutdown.

Passport agencies are expected to continue offering services, however delays and additional fees are possible.

Smithsonian museums will continue operation until at least Saturday, October 11, 2025. U.S. Capitol tours have been suspended.