As of 12:01 AM on Wednesday, October 1, the federal government has entered a shutdown.
I voted to keep the government open through a simple seven-week extension of current spending levels, originally established under the Biden Administration, while Congress finalizes our normal budget process for the next fiscal year.
Unfortunately, while my colleagues on the other side of the aisle overwhelmingly supported these exact spending levels last year, they now want to play Russian Roulette with the American economy and our national security to tack on $1.5 trillion in new spending to a short-term continuing resolution.
Even worse, Democrats voted no to continuing disaster recovery in Western North Carolina and no on providing $22.5 billion in additional disaster relief funding.
While the shutdown impacts the availability of many government programs and services, my office remains open and working for NC-11. If you have questions about federal casework or any other matter requiring assistance, please contact my office at 865-EDWARDS.
Telephone Town Hall This Thursday
Please join me this Thursday, October 9 at 7:00pm for a telephone town hall. During the town hall, I will provide an update on the government shutdown and answer questions about what is most important to you.
To join the town hall, please call 434-ASK-NC11 at 7:00pm.
Shutdown Impact on Medicaid/Medicare Services
Services related to the maintenance of human life, including healthcare, are all a part of mandatory spending and will continue to be available during the shutdown period. If you have any questions or issues with your specific Medicaid or Medicare services, please reach out to my office at 865-EDWARDS.
Shutdown Impact on Hurricane Helene Recovery
The government shutdown is devastating for Helene recovery. Most agency operations ceased, delaying the FEMA Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation application and review process and slowing the rate of long-overdue reimbursements to our state and local governments. All non-emergency programs, including mitigation grants and storm resilience initiatives, are also halted.
My office’s casework assistance will remain operational; however, without full agency personnel able to respond, please expect considerable delays until the shutdown ends.
If you have any questions on how the shutdown will impact your specific casework requests, please contact me at 865-EDWARDS.
All VA Medical Centers, outpatient clinics, and Vet Centers will continue operating as usual. VA benefits will also continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits. Burials at VA national cemeteries, applications for headstones, markers, and burial benefits processing will also continue. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals will continue to make decisions on Veterans’ cases. All services related to suicide prevention, homelessness, and caregiver support will also continue.
For information on programs and offices that may be interrupted, or more information on how the shutdown will impact veterans, please click here.
Shutdown Impact on Great Smokey Mountain National Park
During a government shutdown, national parks and other federally funded recreational facilities operate in a limited capacity until the government reopens.
National Park Service sites, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, remain accessible to the public, but certain amenities such as visitor centers, restrooms, and picnic pavilions may be temporarily closed.
Pisgah National Forest and Nantahala National Forest, will also remain open to visitors during the shutdown. The U.S. Forest Service website maintains an up-to-date list of alerts and closures within North Carolina’s National Forests.
Additionally, the Appalachian Trail footpath and on-trail facilities will remain open.
Thanks to the Friends of the Smokies and their partners, the Great Smokey Mountains National Park will be fully operational from October 4-10, ensuring staff can welcome visitors, maintain facilities, and protect wildlife during peak tourism season despite the ongoing government shutdown. For more information, please visit the park’s current conditions page.
Shutdown Impact on Other Services and Government Agencies
If you have questions or concerns about other government agencies or funded services, please visit my website or call 865-EDWARDS.
