Congress is moving closer to the cliff on shutting down the government when the new fiscal year begins on October 1.

In the event of a government shutdown, the Federal government continues entitlement payments (i.e., Medicare and Social Security)  but begins to curtail federal worker pay and other “discretionary” items such.

Thanks to a law passed as part of the deal to end the 35-day shutdown during President Trump’s first term, all federal employees will automatically be granted back pay once funding resumes.

ALA has been advised that:
“DeCA will continue full operation of all 235 commissaries for up to 60 days or until all DeCA defense working capital funds are exhausted in the event of a government shutdown.  At that time, the 58 OCONUS (including Puerto Rico and Guam) and five commissaries identified as remote (MCMWTC Bridgeport, CA; Fort Irwin, CA; CGS Kodiak, AK; Fort Greely, AK; and Dugway Proving Grounds, UT) will remain open in compliance with the DoD Contingency Plan Guidance for Continuation of Essential Operations in the Absence of Available Appropriation.  All remaining CONUS commissaries will shut down in an orderly fashion to reduce the amount of perishables on-hand and properly safeguard equipment and facilities.”

This latest statement affirms earlier guidance conveyed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to Rep. Rob Wittman after he inquired about commissary closures in the event of a shutdown.

Exchanges and other nonappropriated-funded operations will continue unimpeded during the shutdown but on-base patronage is affected as many workers on military bases are furloughed.

The shutdown, commissary privatization, Congressional action on on-base retail will be discussed at an ALA webinar at 11:00 a.m. EST, Friday September 26.