As the clock ticks away toward the first government shutdown in 15 years, many Federal employees worry about their pay and taxpayers worry about their tax refunds. But the problems associated with a government a shutdown surpass what many people see on the surface.
Why the Government Could Shut Down
President Barack Obama proposed the 2011 fiscal year budget in Feb. 2010. Since then, lawmakers have had a difficult time coming to a consensus on how many aspects of the budget should be handled.
As a result, a full budget for 2011 was never approved. Instead, lawmakers approved six short-term spending bills, known as “continuous resolutions,” from Oct. 2010 to March 2011. The sixth extension was granted on March 18 and will expire today at midnight if not approved.
A number of issues have arisen between lawmakers to stall the budget, one of the biggest being a debate over abortion. If Congress can’t work out the differences in the coming hours, the government will be forced to shut down.
The Effects of a Government Shutdown
So what could happen if the government actually shut down? One big issue is over 800,000 Federal employees would have to hand over their laptops and mobile devices–and worse, they would not get paid. With no one working for the IRS, tax refunds would not be mailed (thought returns would still have to be filed by April 18).
Here are some other issues that will arise if the government shuts down:
- Recreation stalled: A government shutdown would mean national parks around the country would be gated. Also, the National Zoo and Smithsonian would be closed. Even the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade set for this weekend would be canceled.
- FHA closed: The Federal Housing Administration, which guarantees home mortgages, would stop working.
- International travel affected: While the State Department would provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens, services like issuing travel visas and passports would be delayed or stopped.
- Military pay delayed: The pay for U.S. troops would be delayed and some civilian Defense Department employees would be furloughed.
- Health care research disrupted: Medical research at the National Institutes of Health would be disrupted.
- Work and food safety: Inspectors would stop workplace inspections except in cases that present imminent danger. The FDA would also stop inspecting food. However, any emergencies involving food contamination would be dealt with.
The bright spot is that mail would still be delivered, air travel would continue, Federal prisons would remain open and benefits payments (Social Security, unemployment and Medicare payments) would continue. Additionally, members of Congress will be required to work, hopefully ensuring a potential shutdown won’t last very long.
Send them all home with no pay, including congress, and senate, with out pay, shame this is happening with a two party system, pro,and con, one gives the other takes, looks like me might do better with two elementary 3 rd grade classes, working at this,
[...] is estimated that 800,000 federal workers would suddenly find themselves suspended without pay. Here’s who else would be [...]
i am a state employee will i still get paid
i am a state employee will i get paid?
I know that shut down will say money but, congress and senate should be the first to go without pay. I don’t think that they should stop paying the troops. They have so much to worry about and now they are going to have their pay taking away? And the facts that say your son died today you would have to pay for everything. That is not cool at all.