The federal government has officially shut down, after Congress failed to come to an agreement on a spending plan to extend funding.
There’s no telling how long the government will be shutdown, but in the meantime, federal employees and personnel are in a tight spot, with essential employees remaining on duty but not getting paid until Congress reaches a deal. That includes at Fort Campbell and other military installations.
Now, military personnel will continue in normal duty status, without pay, until a continuing resolution or appropriations are passed by Congress and signed into law, according to the U.S. Department of War. Governor Andy Beshear called the shutdown ‘unacceptable’, saying federal employees, and especially those servicemen and women in the armed forces, are vital to this country.
Civilian personnel not engaged in excepted activities will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status. The last government shutdown occurred in 2018 and was the longest in this nation’s history, lasting just over a month. While there is now a government lapse in appropriations, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital remains open 24/7 to provide emergency and inpatient care. At this time, all scheduled outpatient appointments and services, as well as medical and dental services at Fort Campbell and the Screaming Eagle Medical Home in Clarksville will continue as planned pending further guidance.
If there are any changes to patient services, we will provide updates promptly.
Governor Beshear also condemned what he calls “political play” with military personnel and leaders by President Donald Trump’s Administration.
Republicans and Democrats in Congress are pointing the fingers at each other, blaming the opposite side for this government shutdown. Federal employees will receive back pay once the shutdown is over—though how long that shutdown may last is unknown.