What the government shutdown could mean for our region

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The federal government shut down this morning after congressional democrats and republicans couldn’t come to an agreement on a plan to keep it open.

It is the first shutdown since December 2018, which lasted for 35 days - the longest in American history. Here is how our region might be affected by this shutdown .

Government programs

Government programs like Social Security checks, Medicare, and Medicaid will continue, unaffected. So will veterans’ benefits and health care.

Small business loans will be paused though, while the U.S. Small Business Administration is unable to process new business loans.

Federal workers

Essential federal workers, such as postal workers and airports will also continue. However, federal workers will not be paid during the shu