Could a government shutdown impact NORAD’s Santa Tracker? What you should know

Could a government shutdown at this time of year impact one of the most essential services? The North American Aerospace Defense Command’s Santa Tracker?

The U.S. government will shut down this weekend unless Congress passes a bill that maintains funding through March. If they fail, the government will be forced to furlough thousands of federal workers and cut federal services.

Since 1955, NORAD has been dedicated to tracking Santa Claus’ flight around the world. More than 1,250 Canadian and American uniformed personnel and Department of Defense civilians volunteer their time on Christmas Eve to answer hundreds of thousands of phone calls and emails from around the world, the website says.

Here’s what you should know about the military’s long-standing tradition of following St. Nick’s journey around the world and whether it could be at risk.

According to the Associated Press, not even a government shutdown could stop NORAD from pursuing Chris Kringle that Christmas Eve.

“We expect Santa to fly on December 24 and NORAD will be tracking him,” the U.S.-Canadian agency said in a statement to the AP.

Beyond the Santa Tracker, NORAD would not be affected by a government shutdown.

How to find NORAD’s Santa Claus tracker

For the 68th consecutive year, NORAD is using its tracking capabilities to track the progress of Santa Claus and his reindeer as they fly to deliver toys around the world on Christmas Eve.

Trackers can follow Santa Claus on Facebook, TwitterInstagram and other social media platforms. The official NORAD Tracks Santa app is also available on the Apple App and Google Play stores to count down the days until Santa’s journey on mobile devices.

On Christmas Eve, trackers around the world can call 1-877-HI-NORAD from 6 a.m. to midnight MST to ask live operators for Santa’s location. Also on December 24th, site visitors will be able to see Santa Claus Flight from 4 a.m. to midnight MST.

Here’s what agencies and services are doing during a government shutdown

Federal agencies classify workers as either “essential” or “non-essential.”

Essential workers continue to work, even though they may not be paid immediately. However, according to a breakdown compiled by Reuters, non-essential workers are furloughed, meaning they cannot work or be paid until the government reopens.

Here are some services and government-funded measures that may or may not be discontinued:

• Not Social Security and Medicare: Social security benefits continue without interruption; There may be delays in Medicare benefits due to the closure.

• No veterans benefits: Veterans will continue to receive benefits and medical care without interruption.

• Not SNAP: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program continues to operate, with possible minor disruptions.

• Not military: Active-duty military members will remain at their jobs, although about half of the Pentagon’s civilian employees may be furloughed

• Non-national nuclear safety authority: The agency remains operational.

• Not law enforcement: Federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, DEA and prison staff, remain operational; The secret service and the coast guard continue their tasks.

• National Parks: National parks and monuments nearby; Rangers will be furloughed and facilities will be closed, although some states may temporarily fund operations.

• Not Borders and homeland security: Border Patrol and immigration officers remain on duty; Local governments will not receive any new subsidies for migrant accommodation.

• transport: Airport security controllers and air traffic controllers remain on duty; There may be delays in new hires and large infrastructure projects. Absences can impact airport operations.

• Not Congress salaries: The MPs continue to receive their salaries; Employees are furloughed, but essential personnel continue to work.

• White House: Most White House staff are furloughed; important offices such as the National Security Council remain in place; the president’s salary remains unaffected.

When is the deadline for the government shutdown?

Congress has until current funding expires Friday evening once the clock strikes midnight and lawmakers hope to adjourn the session for the holidays.

If Congress does not reach an agreement on funding by midnight on Friday, December 20, the government will shut down.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Government shutdown and what it could mean for NORAD’s Santa Tracker