How will the government shutdown impact Oregon, Washington?

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – For the first time in seven years, the federal government is shut down and thousands of workers in Oregon are off the job, or still working but not getting paid.

The shutdown comes after a stand-off between Democrats and Republicans in Congress over healthcare spending.

Now some government funding bills are on hold, impacting tens of thousands of federal workers in Oregon and southwest Washington.

The good news: Social Security benefits and Medicare payments are continuing. KOIN 6 News called the Social Security office on Wednesday morning, and the recording said an agent would help, but there was a 90-minute hold time.

However, applications for Social Security, other government programs, and credentials like passports are expected to be slowed down with so many federal workers furloughed.

On this first day, KOIN 6 checked the status at the Portland International Airport. Air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration workers are federal employees, but labeled essential, so they are supposed to be working — just without pay right now. 

There is also worry that there could be massive layoffs coming, not just furloughs. And workers without paychecks are wondering how long they will have to wait.

Lawmakers could not work out a deal on healthcare subsidies. Senate Democrats demanded funding for healthcare subsidies that are expiring for millions of people under the Affordable Care Act, which could cause insurance premiums to spike nationwide.

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden shared the following statement after the government shutdown.

“Republicans are shutting down the government to cut health care for all Americans. Republicans control every aspect of the federal government—the House, Senate, and the White House—and have chosen to use that power to pursue a ‘Families Lose, Billionaires Win’ agenda.

“Republicans cut health care to fund tax breaks for billionaires. They cut child nutritional benefits to fund tax breaks for billionaires. They imposed $30 trillion in additional debt on Americans over the next 30 years to fund tax breaks for billionaires.

“Democrats are fighting for American families. We put forward two straightforward proposals to incorporate into a bill to fund the federal government. One, reverse the attacks on health care that so savagely affect the welfare of Americans across the board. Second, a proposal to require the President to implement the funding bill as written. Laws are not suggestions.

“The impact of the savage attack on health care is already coming due. Most Americans will see an increase of nine percent in the cost of their health care policies. Americans buying their policies on the exchange will see an average 114 percent increase in health insurance costs. In Oregon, the projected increase on the exchange is 68 percent, or more than $1,300 per person. And some Oregon families will even see an increase of up to $25,000 per year.

“Everything that is already a challenge in the health care system will get worse. Wait times for appointments will get longer. The number of emergency room beds—already too few—will be fewer. More rural hospitals will close or cut essential services. The cost of prescription drugs will continue to rise.

“After eight months in office, Trump is making America poorer and sicker. We are saying hell no. Health care is fundamental to the quality of life of Americans. Democrats are standing up for you and your family’s health care.”

The concern is what will happen to money and services if this goes on for long. The last government shutdown lasted 35 days.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson shared the following statement.

“President Trump controls the White House and both chambers of Congress. It’s clear where the responsibility lies to keep the government running. The president should stop playing games with services the people of Washington pay for and rely on, as well as the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of government workers.

“Washington is home to nearly 80,000 federal workers. Many of those workers will be furloughed, temporarily laid off, or forced to work without pay through a shutdown. Our Employment Security Department is prepared to help federal workers find resources they need to get through the shutdown.”

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.