For the first time since 2011, the U.S. government has now reached its debt ceiling.
The federal government was funded by lawmakers through the end of the fiscal year in 2023 in December, but they continue to borrow money to support ongoing operations by raising the debt ceiling.
"The federal government has a limit on how much it may borrow to support additional spending, known as the debt ceiling, much like any other person who uses a credit card.
That basically ensures that the government can continue to pay its debts, according to Sarah Foster, a Bankrate economy reporter.
But managing the biggest economy in the world grants you extraordinary benefits since Congress may continue approving fresh expenditures, unlike when you reach your credit limit.
Foster added, "When this occurs, the Treasury Department can take 'exceptional measures' to move money and make sure the country doesn't go into default on its debts.
But each day will be like a ticking clock because, according to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, she will have exhausted all options by early June.
If this June default occurs, the federal government might not continue paying for some government initiatives, which could have an impact on travel plans if you want to visit a national park, renew your passport, join Global Entry, and more.
Here are some things you should be aware of and what you should do right away to limit the effects on your plans if this does occur.
Applications for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and passports
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, manages trusted traveler programs including TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.
The ability to process applications could therefore be hampered by any funding pause.
Additionally, the government has a backlog of applications brought on by the pandemic and is currently issuing warnings about prolonged wait times.
Similarly to this, the U.S. Department of State presently advises tourists that expedited passport services take three to five weeks and standard services can take six to nine weeks.
Leaving any finance concerns aside, we advise applying for and renewing your U.S. passports as well as memberships in the Trusted Traveler program as soon as they become valid.
The procedure can take some time, and many nations won't let you in if your passport has less than three months of validity remaining; some even want six months.
Beyond the time it takes to process applications, a delay in federal funding may cause a lack of Transportation Security Administration personnel at airports, which might lengthen wait times for TSA PreCheck lines at some airports.
Flights were canceled during the longest government shutdown in history, which lasted 35 days and involved TSA and air traffic controller staffing shortages.
TSA security lines were also closed at several airports.
National parks
The U.S. National Park Service is a federal organization that falls under the Department of the Interior and is primarily supported by Congress.
You could still visit some national parks, and some roads, lookouts, railroads, and open-air memorials would probably still be passable even if funding stalled.
Everything else would be impacted because it is administered by NPS employees, including critical amenities like visitor centers, restrooms, and educational activities within the park.
Although it would legally be free to visit a park during this period, the absence of park guards to actively patrol the grounds and the absence of active search and rescue services would make the park less secure overall.
Since the hotels are managed by contracted hotel companies and are not staffed by NPS employees, they should continue to be open.
In the past, third parties stepped in to keep national parks open when the government was shut down.
Although a government shutdown is not at stake in this situation, the same groups might intervene to prevent park closures.
For instance, in 2018, the Arizona governor at the time, Doug Ducey, issued an order directing state funds to be used to maintain Grand Canyon access.
According to reporting by The Arizona Republic, "the park gates stayed open, but nobody was operating the toll booths to collect the regular $35 cost per car to enter in the park."
Thus, states and private entities, including volunteer groups, may take action to maintain the accessibility of national parks.
The president who is in office at the time of the shutdown ultimately decides whether or not to keep parks open.
Washington monuments and museums
In Washington, D.C., federally supported monuments and museums would also be in danger.
Included in this are the 17 Smithsonian museums and galleries, the National Zoo, as well as the memorials managed by the NPS, like the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall, which are typically staffed by rangers from the organization.
The park was closed for 24 days during the aforementioned government shutdown because the Smithsonian used the funding to continue operating until January 1, 2019.
In conclusion
Hopefully, there won't be any staffing issues with the government in 2023.
But given the growing possibility of a world in which that really occurs, it's best to apply for or renew any necessary government documents for travel right away.
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