Industry News

Federal Agencies Prepare Plans for Potential Government Shutdown

September 30, 2013


In preparation for a potential government shutdown, federal agencies released contingency plans to go in effect if the government closes its doors on October 1st.  See below for the status of government agencies involved with trade during a shutdown.
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP):  Of CBP’s 59,561 employees, 52,673 employees will continue to work.  Many of the agency’s programs are exempt from a shut down because they are “necessary for the safety of life and protection of property.”
  • U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC):  13% of Commerce’s employees would be considered essential and continue to work after the shutdown.  Only 3% of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) will continue to work, temporarily shutting down the program.  The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) will retain 40% of its employees to continue export enforcement and administrative functions.
  • U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC):  After a shutdown, the ITC will stop investigative activities.  All deadlines for investigations will be extended, and hearings and conferences will be postponed.  
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):  The FDA will retain over half of its staff in order to continue to conduct import entry review and run user fee funded programs, high-risk recalls, and civil and criminal investigations.
  • U.S. Trade Representative (USTR):  The USTR will operate essential operations with 61 staff members, but this number may be adjusted as necessary.
  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC):  CPSC employees who   collect and analyze information about defective products, work to effectively recall a dangerous product, communicate information regarding threats to the public, or are necessary to file an action in a district court that threatens safety will be exempt.
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): 907 of the FDA’s 16,205 employees are exempted or excepted; the rest will be furloughed.
  • Federal Maritime Commission (FMC):  All 120 of the FMC’s employees face furloughs during a shutdown.
  • Federal Courts:  Federal Courts plan to continue operating 10 days after a government shutdown.  At that point, funds will run out.
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