Rep. Janelle Bynum weighs in on impacts of federal government shutdown

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The federal government has officially shut down, with no quick resolution in sight. Several departments with hundreds even thousands of people will either stop working or will be working for no pay.

As of July of this year, there were over 28,000 federal employees in the state of Oregon alone.

KTVZ News spoke Tuesday with Oregon Representative Janelle Bynum to learn more about the people who are impacted.

Rep. Bynum told KTVZ News, "I think what's really important, too, especially for Central Oregon, is the fact that our Federal Firefighters won't be paid. We've introduced legislation to have that considered, because we know that we need these people and they offer themselves to step up in our time of need. They should be compensated for that."

Federal firefighters are not the only federal workers who will be impacted. The impact includes everything from employees at the FAA to federal law enforcement.

While Redmond airport will remain open, the air traffic controllers and TSA members might not be paid during the shutdown.

All federal museums and national parks, including the Deschutes National Forest, are also closed.

There are some essential government services which will remain open. For people on social security, by law they will receive their checks. 

Currently, Republicans and Democrats are far apart on the continuing resolution that would fund the government temporary.

As the shutdown develops KTVZ News will be speaking with those impacted.