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Alameda County committee hears briefing on possible federal shutdown and OMB memo that could affect workers
Summary
A county committee was briefed that a lapse in federal funding around Oct. 1 could cause a short government shutdown; an OMB memo flagged in the briefing says agencies could significantly reduce federal workforces, while mandatory programs such as Medicaid should continue.
The Alameda County Personnel Administration and Legislation Committee on Monday heard a federal legislative briefing warning that Congress may not pass funding before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1, increasing the likelihood of a short government shutdown.
CJ Lake briefed committee members, saying, "Bottom line is, yes. It looks like we are heading towards a shutdown," and explained that, absent a "clean" continuing resolution passed by the House and then the Senate, procedural timing makes a shutdown likely when current funding lapses.
The presentation said an Office of Management and Budget memo distributed to federal agencies outlines how the administration plans to handle a funding lapse and includes measures that could "drastically and permanently reduce the federal workforce." Lake said the guidance increases executive discretion during a lapse and could place pressure on Senate negotiators to approve particular funding language.
Why it matters: County officials said they are tracking potential impacts to local programs and residents. Lake emphasized that mandatory‑spending programs should continue to operate, noting that Medicaid and Social Security benefit distributions are not expected to stop. "We shouldn't see an impact to Medicaid benefits," Lake said, while adding that some services and discretionary programs could be curtailed.
A supervisor pressed for details about protections for federal employees and how back pay has been handled after prior shutdowns. Lake said Congress has in the past enacted legislation to make federal workers whole after extended shutdowns and pointed to agency guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services as an example of early preparation. "After the last shutdown that lasted 30 some odd days, Congress did pass legislation that requires the back pay to happen," Lake said.
Committee members asked what the county could expect if the shutdown extended and whether the state might step in to backfill federal program gaps such as food assistance. Lake replied that states have sometimes offered temporary funding and that the California Department of Finance appears to be waiting for federal clarity before proposing state responses.
No public comment was offered on the federal update. The committee did not take any votes on the subject.
Next steps: County staff said they will continue to monitor federal actions and agency guidance and report back to the committee as developments occur.
