Another closure of the U.S. federal government is a problem as Washington’s wheel pauses again in the Republican-led House of Representatives.
Overall, travel is considered a “non-essential” feature – a dim or darkened non-essential feature.
U.S. travel services closed during government closure
Generally speaking, this is something that is unavailable during the federal government shutdown:
Passport service (severely affected but not stopped)
Global Entry / TSA Precheck Application
Visa processing
National Parks and National Park Units, including monuments and historical sites. (During the 2018-2019 period, many national parks remained open during the Trump Administration period, but the result was Ignore and vandalism This led to a reversal of the policy. ) In some places in the status of national parks such as the Prime Minister in San Francisco, they generate their own income independently of the government and can remain open.
The Smithsonian Museum is open until October 7
Ford’s Theatre (in past closures, scheduled performances have been moved to other venues)
White House Visitor Center, U.S. Capitol Visitor Center and all government buildings tours
Appalachian Trail
In past closures, major arteries passing through some national parks (e.g., from Gatlinburg, Tennessee to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cherokee, North Carolina) remain open, but parking lots, restrooms and tributary roads may be closed.
These things remain open
However, these can have significant delays due to employee pressure:
Air traffic control
Transportation Safety Agency (TSA)
Amtrak
U.S. Customs and Border Control, including cruise ports
US Postal Service
In the past, some states have stepped up their busiest national parks to reopen, but that is not given. In these cases you may be able to enter, but services like garbage collection, Ranger program, snow and restrooms may be shut down.
National parks should remain open because they are state-funded.
Members of Congress continue to earn their own salaries.