FCC Suspends Operations, Copyright Office Remains Open As Government Shutdown Enters Day 13

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will suspend most operations midday today, January 3rd, because of the partial government shutdown. The closure comes as the shutdown over border wall funding enters Day 13.

Employees will be given up to four hours to complete an orderly shutdown of operations. "However, work required for the protection of life and property will continue, as will any work related to spectrum auctions, which is funded by auction proceeds," the FCC said in a press release. "In addition, the Office of the Inspector General will continue operations until further notice."

The FCC also released a Public Notice detailing the effects the suspension of operations will have, including on electronic filing and database systems, filing deadlines, regulatory and application fee payments, transaction shot clocks and more. Read and download a pdf of the notice here.

According to Wired:

"A few extra days off won't meaningfully delay the agency's major decisions, says former FCC lawyer Gigi Sohn. But if the shutdown stretches into weeks, it will likely disrupt much of the agency’s work. FCC staff won't be allowed to read email or take meetings unless they're related to continuing activities like spectrum auctions, so staff will have a lot of catching up to do when they return to work. The FCC had remained open while other agencies shut down because of “available funds,” the FCC said on December 21."

US Copyright Office Remains Open

Despite the shutdown, The US Copyright Office will stay open for normal business, weekdays 8:30 am to 5 pm."We are not affected by the partial government shutdown." the agency said in a notice. "Online registration is available every day."

Neither President Trump or the Congress appear ready to compromise to end the nearly weeklong shutdown.