US Embassy in Tunisia Announces Limited Operations Due to Government Shutdown
The US Embassy in Tunisia announced on Wednesday, October 1, that its official accounts will not be regularly updated until full operations resume, except for urgent security-related information. However, passport and visa services will continue to the extent possible, and the embassy recommends checking travel.state.gov for updates on the status of these services.
Background on the Government Shutdown
This announcement comes as the United States has officially entered a state of "shutdown" at midnight, marking a partial halt to federal administration operations. The current budget impasse pits Republican Donald Trump against Democratic Congress members, making it impossible to adopt a budget.
Impact of the Shutdown
According to the Congressional Budget Office, approximately 750,000 government employees will be furloughed daily. Air traffic and the payment of numerous social benefits may be disrupted. Each week of the shutdown could reduce the annual growth rate of the US GDP by 0.2 percentage points, according to analysts at the Nationwide insurance company.
Political Tensions
Donald Trump has put pressure on Democrats by warning of "irreversible" consequences if the opposition does not validate the Republican budget, including mass layoffs. The last shutdown, which occurred from December 2018 to January 2019, lasted 35 days, a record. The current situation highlights that even abroad, American consular services can face significant limitations.
Key Takeaways
- The US Embassy in Tunisia will have limited operations due to the government shutdown
- Passport and visa services will continue to the extent possible
- The embassy recommends checking travel.state.gov for updates on service status
- The shutdown may disrupt air traffic and social benefits
- The situation is a result of a budget impasse between Republicans and Democrats in the US Congress
