The United States is at risk of running out of money by June unless Congress raises or suspends the debt limit, the secretary of the Department of the Treasury warned after the country reached its debt ceiling in January for the first time since 2011.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated on May 1 that "our best estimate is that we will be unable to continue to satisfy all of the government's obligations" if the debt ceiling is not raised or suspended before that date.
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. In essence, that's to make sure the government can continue to pay its debts, according to Sarah Foster, a Bankrate economy writer. But managing the biggest economy in the world grants you special privileges because Congress can continue approving new spending, unlike when you reach your credit limit.
The federal government might decide not to renew financing for some government programs if this June default occurs. This can have an impact on your travel plans if you wish to visit a national park, update your passport, sign up for Global Entry, or do other things.
If this does happen, here's what you need to know and what you should do right now to limit the effects on your plans.
Passport applications, Global Entry, and TSA PreCheck
Under the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection manages trusted traveler programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. The ability to process applications could therefore be hampered by any funding pause.
Additionally, the government is already dealing with a backlog of applications brought on by the pandemic and is issuing a warning about prolonged wait times.
Similarly, the Department of State is now informing passengers that the processing time for ordinary passport requests can take 10 to 13 weeks (up from 6 to 9 weeks), nd that the processing time for expedited requests can take 7 to 9 weeks (instead of the previously stated 3 to 5 weeks).
Aside from potential funding issues, we advise obtaining and renewing your Trusted Traveler program memberships and U.S. passports as soon as they become valid. Many nations won't let you enter if your passport has less than three months left on it, and the procedure can take some time. Some even call for six more months of validity.
A federal funding delay would affect more than just the time it takes to process applications; it might also cause a lack of TSA officers at some airports, which might lengthen the wait in the TSA PreCheck lines.
Flights were canceled as a result of a lack of TSA agents and air traffic controllers during the longest government shutdown in history, which lasted 35 days in 2018–2019. Some airports also cut off TSA security lines.
Additionally, this summer, the TSA anticipates pre-pandemic levels of airport crowding.
National parks
The National Park Service is primarily funded by Congress as a federal organization falling under the Department of the Interior.
You would probably still be able to access some roads, lookouts, railroads, and open-air memorials even if financing were to freeze for a while. You could still visit several national parks. Everything else, such as vital amenities like visitor centers, restrooms, and educational programs within the park, is managed by NPS employees and would be impacted.
Although it would technically be free to visit a park during this time, there would not be any staff, making the park less secure overall. Without park rangers, there would be no supervision or active search and rescue operations.
In parks, hotels are managed by contracted corporations. Since they don't depend on NPS employees, these should continue to be open, in theory.
We've seen outside groups step in before to keep national parks operating during a government shutdown. The same organizations might intervene to prevent park closures even though a government shutdown is not at stake in this situation.
For instance, the Grand Canyon was to be kept open through state money, per an order signed by the Arizona governor at the time, Doug Ducey, in 2018.
The Arizona Republic reported that although the park's gates remained open, no one was manning the toll booths to collect the customary $35 per car entrance fee.
In order to maintain the accessibility of national parks, states, and private organizations, especially volunteer organizations, may take action.
The president who is in office at the time of the closure ultimately decides whether or not to keep parks open during the partial government shutdown.
Monuments and Museums in Washington
Government-funded museums and monuments in Washington, D.C., would also be in danger. This applies to the 17 Smithsonian museums, galleries, and National Zoo, as well as the memorials that are managed by the NPS and are frequently maintained by rangers from that organization, like the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall.
The museums were shut down for 24 days during the aforementioned government shutdown since the Smithsonian used the funding to keep operating through January 1, 2019.
In conclusion
Hopefully, there won't be any staffing issues with the government in 2023. However, given the likelihood that this scenario will materialize, it is best to apply for or renew any necessary official documents as soon as possible if you need them for travel.
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