SPOKANE, Wash.— A potential government shutdown could force hundreds of federal workers in the Spokane region into unpaid leave while disrupting services from military family programs to cemetery maintenance.
Fairchild Air Force Base said it would have to furlough 354 civilian employees during a shutdown, though active-duty personnel would continue working with uncertain pay schedules.
“Fairchild AFB will maintain its core mission and operations during a government shutdown,” base officials said. “Active-Duty personnel will continue working, but some civilian employees will face furloughs.”
The base would close or reduce hours at several facilities including the library, Arts & Craft center, aquatics center and Auto Hobby shop. However, base childcare and school-age care programs would remain unaffected.
Active-duty military personnel face uncertainty about timely paychecks, though they would continue reporting for duty.
The Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Spokane said it would also keep its doors open for patient care, but maintenance at VA cemeteries would be halted and regional VA offices would close. These closures could affect veterans seeking benefits assistance or administrative services.
Spokane International Airport said it would maintain full operations with air traffic controllers, TSA agents and other essential staff continuing to work. However, these workers also face uncertainty with what this will mean for their paycheck.
The airport said travelers should be prepared for possible delays and continue to arrive to the airport at least two hours early.
As Tuesday’s midnight (EST) shutdown deadline looms, both essential government employees and non-essential workers face uncertainty about when and if they will receive their next paycheck.
For more information on possible shutdown effects on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), visit www.whitehouse.gov.
For more information on possible shutdown effects on the VA, visit www.department.va.gov.
To read a full statement from Spokane International Airport regarding the potential shutdowns, click HERE.
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