In preparation for a Republican shutdown of the federal government, today Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) released information on how a government shutdown could affect taxpayers.

“Over the last few weeks, I’ve worked diligently to avoid a government shutdown,” Cuellar said.  “Such an event would adversely impact seniors, veterans and military families and those who have car payments, mortgage payments and out of pocket expenses on medical prescriptions.  However, if a bipartisan agreement is not found, it is important to make constituents aware of available federal government services. It is my job as the U.S. Representative for the 28th District of Texas to provide information and resources for my constituents.”

Tax Filers      

• Those filing paper tax returns would not receive tax refunds from the IRS, and many taxpayers would be unable to receive service from the IRS to help them meet their tax obligations. The 400 walk-in service centers throughout the country would be closed

www.irs.gov

Seniors

 • Social Security checks would be sent to beneficiaries

• Services in field offices and processing centers will be limited

• No new and replacement cards or updated earnings records will be processed

• Disability determination services limited

 www.ssa.gov

 Military

 • Most Department of Defense budget planning and preparation would cease; military personnel would not receive paychecks during a funding lapse

 • Military operations in Afghanistan, Libya, and Iraq would continue

www.defense.gov

 Veterans

•Most of the Veterans Benefits Administration customer support services would be suspended

 • Medical services for veterans would continue to be available

www.va.gov

 Federal Employees   

 • About 12,325 federal employees in the 28th District of Texas would be affected by the government shutdown. They would not report to work at their respective federal jobs.

www.opm.gov

 Businesses     

 • No new approvals of Small Business Administration (SBA)-guaranteed loans for business working capital, real estate investment or job creation activities would occur

 • Inspections of stock brokers, receipt and publication of corporate financial disclosures, and routine oversight of financial markets by Federal agencies would cease

 • Agricultural export credit activity and other agricultural trade development and monitoring would cease.

www.commerce.gov, www.treasury.gov www.sba.gov, www.usda.gov

 Communities, Cities and Municipalities

• The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund would suspend its grants and technical assistance to communities across the country, delaying investments that finance businesses and create jobs in distressed neighborhoods.

 • Department of Commerce grant-making programs for economic development would cease, as would most payments by HUD’s Community Development Block Grant program to State and local governments.

 • Customer service would be reduced across the federal government.

www.cdfifund.gov, www.hud.gov,

Cuellar reassures taxpayers that his office will remain open to continue to provide essential services to his constituents.

“While it’s still unclear whether my staff would be paid, it is clear that I must continue to provide essential constituent services to our area.  Every community can count on my office being open -- we will continue our work, as usual,” Cuellar said.

On Thursday, Congressman Cuellar voted to appropriate funds for military service members to ensure they continue to receive their paychecks in the event of a government shutdown. As a fiscal conservative, Congressman Cuellar also voted several times to prohibit Members of Congress from receiving a salary during a government shutdown.

“Earlier this week, the Blue Dog Coalition sent a letter to President Obama asking Congress to find a bipartisan solution and keep the government from shutting down,” Cuellar said. “I renew that call today. American taxpayers are asking us to lead the way out of the recession and solve the debt crisis by working together to find common sense solutions—not play politics. A shutdown would hamper critical services and functions that tens of millions need to survive on a daily basis.”

For more information on the government shutdown, visit the Office of Personnel Management at www.opm.gov.

Attached is a memo that has more information on how a government shutdown would impact constituents of the 28th District of Texas.