US embassy: Visa and passport services to continue amid federal gov't shutdown

Scheduled visa and passport services will continue, the US embassy in Manila said Wednesday, even as the United States federal government has shut down after its Senate failed to pass a spending bill.

The embassy also said its social media platforms will not be updated until normal government operations resume.

"At this time, scheduled passport and visa services in the United States and at US embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits. For information on our services and operating status, visit travel.state.gov," the embassy said in a statement.

"Because of the lapse in appropriations, the U.S. Embassy's Facebook, X, and Instagram accounts will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information," it added.

The US was plunged into a shutdown - the first since 2018 - after President Donald Trump and Congress on Wednesday failed to agree on a crucial funding bill needed to keep the federal government running.

Many government offices are expected to close, temporarily or permanently, affecting around 750,000 federal workers, who will be placed on leave.

The current budget lapse comes after weeks of wrangling between Democrats and Republicans over contentious programs, such as health care.

Democrats demanded funding for health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, as it is set to expire this year for millions of Americans and trigger insurance hikes.

Republicans, who opposed such demand, also failed in its bid for a stop-gap bill that seeks to  extend federal funding until November 21 despite the impasse. –NB, GMA Integrated News