How Michigan could have been affected by a federal government shutdown

(CBS DETROIT) – Republicans in the House of Representatives went back to the drawing board Friday morning to approve new spending while preventing a US government shutdown.

Dozens of Republicans voted against the measure Thursday evening, while only two Democrats voted in favor.

On Friday, the House of Representatives voted to avert the shutdown before the midnight deadline and approve tens of billions of dollars in disaster aid.

What impact would the looming government shutdown have had on federal employees? Based on previous government estimates, about 3.5 million federal workers could go without pay this holiday season until an agreement is passed. That includes airport security personnel like the Transportation Security Administration. Many would still have to show up for work without collecting a paycheck, while others could have been told to stay home and not work at all.

“We should never close the government. That is unacceptable to me. That’s just a basic, core function of Congress. Our TSA people at the airport, everyone is traveling during the holidays,” U.S. Senator Gary Peters told CBS News Detroit before the election. to vote. ‘They will have staffing issues, some who are considered essential will continue to work, but it is important to remember that as they work to keep us safe as we travel this holiday season, they will not be paid, and that is simply unacceptable . “

Passport offices are said to have been affected, but not immediately. Processing would slow down significantly.

CBS News Detroit spoke earlier Friday with a family who plans to travel to Africa next month but needs a passport for their son. Fortunately, they were able to expedite the process on Friday, but if they had waited to obtain that passport when a government shutdown occurred, it would have been challenging for their travels.

“For passports, especially if we start too late to get a passport for him, if there was a government shutdown that could significantly affect that, and we had already booked our flight, it would be very difficult,” says Getenet Timmermans.