Unless Congress and the president reach an agreement on a funding extension before next week, most government employees will be furloughed. The only exceptions are those deemed “excepted” and required to continue to work during the shutdown for functions related to the safety of human life or protection of property, such as air traffic controllers. Typically, these employees will receive back pay once appropriations are restored. Additionally, departments and agencies that have multiyear appropriations or contracts for services that cross fiscal years (“severable services”) can continue.
The last shutdown caused the Food and Drug Administration to halt inspections of food, creating potential health risks for the public; canceled immigration court hearings, forcing many people to wait months for a case resolution; and closed museums, federal lands, and national parks. In addition, long shutdowns can impact the economy by reducing private-sector investment and hiring decisions because businesses cannot access Small Business Administration loans.
While some programs will not be affected by a shutdown (Social Security checks, VA benefits, and military operations for example), the ongoing threat of a government shutdown damages America’s international reputation with our global allies and adversaries. At a time when it’s important for the United States to project strength and stability on the world stage, elected leaders from both parties must stop using the threat of a government shutdown as political leverage for their own short-term political gain. The American people deserve more from their leaders.