Government shutdown raises concern among American families

infographic by Mae Bearden

“Congress not only uses the shutdown as leverage tools but does it while continuing to draw their pay during a shutdown,” debate and geography teacher Mrs. Anna Johnson said. “They have power to shut down and impact average Americans, but their pay is never affected.”

The shutdown only affects government-financed programs, causing some nonessential employees to be put on temporary leave. In an article published by CNN Oct. 16, around 1.4 million government employees were reported to be affected by the shutdown, either furloughed or working without pay. Various public resources and agencies may be understaffed or closed completely. Families can expect flight delays during holiday travel. Visits to national museums or parks may be hindered. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can experience delays in inspections and processing.

“During a shutdown, each agency decides which of its employees are ‘essential’ or

‘excepted,’ and who are ‘non-essential,’” Mr. Allen Wood, retired senior audit manager for the Department of Justice and TKA board member, said. “Essential workers are those whose jobs are critical to public safety and national security. These would include jobs such as law enforcement, border protection and TSA. These employees continue to work without pay. Non-essential workers are not allowed to work and are ‘furloughed’ during the shutdown.”

Every year, Congress passes 12 bills to manage government funds. When disagreements arise over these bills, financing is paused, resulting in a shutdown. This year, a continuing resolution, or temporary spending bill, was introduced to prolong government financing until Nov. 21. The bill needed 60 votes to pass the Senate. According to an article by Brookings, a nonpartisan research organization, some Democrats refuse to support it without changes towards funding the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. Republicans only have a 53 seat majority, and debating has continued without compromise.

“Since the 1974 Congressional Budget Act, Congress has passed the appropriations bills by the Oct. 1 deadline only four times,” Mr. Wood said. “More frequently Congress has resorted to a ‘continuing resolution’ to temporarily keep the government running while negotiations continue.”

To end the shutdown, the Senate must pass a continuing resolution or the 12 funding bills for the next financial year. Both Republicans and Democrats have to lay aside their demands and reach a less satisfactory conclusion for the benefit of the nation.

“In the past, Republicans have caved to maintain peace,” Mrs. Johnson said. “This time they are standing firm. This is a shutdown completely for political theater. They believed that Americans would be angry with Republicans about the shutdown, and we are entering an election cycle that could determine whether Democrats take control of the House of Representatives and Senate or whether Republicans will retain control.”

A government shutdown began Oct. 1 after Congress failed to approve the funding bills for the next financial year. According to an article by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, there have only been four complete shutdowns in the United States before the present, and the current shutdown now marks the longest at 41+ days. This hold in money has caused some federal employees to have delayed paychecks or briefly be out of work. Until opposing parties agree on a budget, the shutdown will continue, as will its effects on government services and workers.

“Congress not only uses the shutdown as leverage tools but does it while continuing to draw their pay during a shutdown,” debate and geography teacher Mrs. Anna Johnson said. “They have power to shut down and impact average Americans, but their pay is never affected.”

The shutdown only affects government-financed programs, causing some nonessential employees to be put on temporary leave. In an article published by CNN Oct. 16, around 1.4 million government employees were reported to be affected by the shutdown, either furloughed or working without pay. Various public resources and agencies may be understaffed or closed completely. Families can expect flight delays during holiday travel. Visits to national museums or parks may be hindered. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can experience delays in inspections and processing.

“During a shutdown, each agency decides which of its employees are ‘essential’ or

‘excepted,’ and who are ‘non-essential,’” Mr. Allen Wood, retired senior audit manager for the Department of Justice and TKA board member, said. “Essential workers are those whose jobs are critical to public safety and national security. These would include jobs such as law enforcement, border protection and TSA. These employees continue to work without pay. Non-essential workers are not allowed to work and are ‘furloughed’ during the shutdown.”

Every year, Congress passes 12 bills to manage government funds. When disagreements arise over these bills, financing is paused, resulting in a shutdown. This year, a continuing resolution, or temporary spending bill, was introduced to prolong government financing until Nov. 21. The bill needed 60 votes to pass the Senate. According to an article by Brookings, a nonpartisan research organization, some Democrats refuse to support it without changes towards funding the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. Republicans only have a 53 seat majority, and debating has continued without compromise.

“Since the 1974 Congressional Budget Act, Congress has passed the appropriations bills by the Oct. 1 deadline only four times,” Mr. Wood said. “More frequently Congress has resorted to a ‘continuing resolution’ to temporarily keep the government running while negotiations continue.”

To end the shutdown, the Senate must pass a continuing resolution or the 12 funding bills for the next financial year. Both Republicans and Democrats have to lay aside their demands and reach a less satisfactory conclusion for the benefit of the nation.

“In the past, Republicans have caved to maintain peace,” Mrs. Johnson said. “This time they are standing firm. This is a shutdown completely for political theater. They believed that Americans would be angry with Republicans about the shutdown, and we are entering an election cycle that could determine whether Democrats take control of the House of Representatives and Senate or whether Republicans will retain control.”