The partial government shutdown is being felt nation-wide, but it also has an impact on several agencies in the Coastal Bend.
Federal Agencies like national parks and the Padre Island National Seashore, or PINS, will remain open, but park services like trash pickup and planned tours are not schedules. Visitors will likely not see a park ranger either.
“When we came down here, there was no one at the gate, and there was no signs,” said Kota Mack, a PINS visitor.
But Customs and border agents will continue working to ensure border security. Social security, medicare and medicaid will also continue.
The U.S. military, including Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, will also operate as normal. Post offices will remain open. Air traffic control and the Transportation Security Administration at Corpus Christi International Airport will also keep working to ensure everyone gets to their holiday destination.
“I’m sure it’s weighing on their [TSA agents’] minds,” said John Hyland, CCIA’s Chief of Public Safety. “But they’ve seen it before, so they’ll continue to do their job.”
“They [TSA agent] were great and wonderful and courteous to us this morning, especially going through with four kids,” said Lee Bolt, a CCIA holiday traveler.
Other agencies that are impacted from the partial government shutdown include small business owners who work with the Small Business Administration, state and local farm services operated by the Agriculture Department, housing programs, and the Department of Commerce.
