10 things that could ruin your day if the government shuts down
That family trip to the Grand Canyon could be in jeopardy if Congress and the White House fail to reach a budget agreement.
April 7th, 2011
07:48 PM ET

10 things that could ruin your day if the government shuts down

The list of collateral effects of a potential government shutdown keeps growing and people are none too pleased about it. Here are just a few of the negative impacts that could arise if Congress and the White House fail to reach an agreement on the budget (click here to view in chart form):

  • The lawmakers who hold the cards will still get paid. Their staffers might be furloughed, though. That has prompted a few lawmakers to announce they'll refuse shutdown pay,but even that has elicited critiques of political posturing.
  • Roughly 800,000 federal workers won't get paid because they're considered nonessential and therefore, the first to be furloughed. That includes people who work in national parks because they'll be closed, ruining countless long family road trips. And it's not just the loss of income that hurts - for many, it's being labeled dispensable when they know their jobs are anything but nonessential.

  • As the shutdown looms, some political leaders are taking the opportunity to fundraise and rally their supporters. The executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee sent out an appeal asking for a minimum $5 donation saying the organization wants to raise $100,000 in the next 36 hours.
  • You'll still get your Social Security checks but don't expect anyone to be around to answer your questions about benefits. The people who take questions on Social Security and Medicare questions will not be at work and most government websites will shut down or have limited functionality.
  • Various agencies with the Department of Health and Human Services will operate in a patchwork fashion. The National Institutes of Health will not accept new patients or start new clinical trials. The Food and Drug Administration won't operate at full capacity but will have some inspectors on staff. As a result, all FDA inspections of food processing facilities and drug manufacturing plants will be prioritized by risk.
  • Word is getting around that a government shutdown doesn't actually save taxpayers money. For one, it will cost the government money to ensure a smooth transition to a shutdown. Then there's the lost revenue from a variety of sources, from government services to gift shops in government-run attractions such as Yosemite National Park and DC's National Gallery of Art.

How would a government shutdown anger you?

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Filed under: Budget
soundoff (2,555 Responses)
  1. Mr.5Management

    Why talk about the president, Mr. Obama? Obama has nothing to do with the spending limit, focus more on the Congress and the Senate on the because they have a say-so on the spending limit. Yall people dont understand nothing about the government on how it works, except u jus see stuff on tv or n da newspapers. If the US were tryin to stay within they're budget, they would charge the people who want our army and our power for their country. US gotta think like a hustler and learn how to double they're money, jus like people in the streets.

    April 8, 2011 at 9:34 am | Report abuse |
  2. Maria

    Why is it if the gov't shuts down the congress still gets paid? They should be docked for doing such a poor job. What a racket!

    April 8, 2011 at 9:34 am | Report abuse |
  3. teddy

    how can u be broke? its just a damn piece of green paper! make more!

    April 8, 2011 at 9:34 am | Report abuse |
  4. Tax payer

    We need to compromise and stop the antics in Washington

    April 8, 2011 at 9:35 am | Report abuse |
  5. Kiti

    I say, collect all the money here in the USA from non-taxpayers and people here illegally. Then, charge counties for aid and help. Then, make countries pay for their immigrants, health care and other expenses. Then, charge a fee to enter the USA. Then, make a law that says ENGLISH is the national language. If you can't read or write it, NO JOB. Then, FINE all company's who consistently, hire illegal immigrants. There's alot of money the government is missing out on with the 24 plus illegal immigrants here. Tapping each state's social services and demanding education grants is the real problem !! Personally, I don't understand why THIS immigration issue hasn't shut the government down. They haven't contributed to any 'government fees" yet feel they have rights. I don't think so!!! And they're plight is nothing like the blacks wanting civil rights!!! They just came in and demanded AMERICANS accept them as equals!!! GTFOH!!!!!

    April 8, 2011 at 9:36 am | Report abuse |
  6. mom 2 1

    My husband wont get paid. Not guaranteed back pay either. Are they going to tell all our bill collectors that we don't have to pay until he gets paid. How about free food and gas. If we don't get paid THEY AHOULDNT GET PAID EITHER but seems they COULD agree on that so that resolution passed immediately.

    April 8, 2011 at 9:36 am | Report abuse |
  7. Barking Alien

    I think everyone should take their trash to Boehner's house or other Tea Party members. They can rename the Tea Party the trash party.

    April 8, 2011 at 9:36 am | Report abuse |
  8. tcd

    The members of congress should forgo their pay and have the money go to pay the active duty military men and women. Our troops deserve the money more than members of congress.

    April 8, 2011 at 9:38 am | Report abuse |
  9. Grimmlock25

    Bring on the Dead Rabbits, the Natives, and The 5 Points.......

    April 8, 2011 at 9:39 am | Report abuse |
  10. carolae

    What would anger me the most is that those who started this, will still get paid....including Obama. Next would be the troops that are serving our country and who have families that rely on that monthly check. I still can't process what is happening and how we got there. Oh forgot, Obama is President and it all started with him and Congress. However, they won't have to worry about what happens to people and their families because they will still have a paycheck coming in!

    April 8, 2011 at 9:40 am | Report abuse |
  11. Marilyn

    As a military spouse, I feel if the troops who put their lives on the line don't get paid neither should the people push pens and paper in the luxury of an office.

    April 8, 2011 at 9:40 am | Report abuse |
    • PBZTEX

      Most wont. In fact many in the GOP say they will voluntarily not get paid. Obama should give it a try.

      April 8, 2011 at 9:42 am | Report abuse |
  12. cartel40

    Ruin my day??? Try ruin my year! My husband is in the military and not knowing the financial future of our family is definitely 100x more important than "ruining countless long family road trips".

    800,000 federal workers out of work??? Try the millions of people that will be affected by the military not receiving paychecks for god knows how long. And on top of that, they still have to go to work and just suck it up? Nobody is going to be working very hard in the military, that's for sure.

    Goodluck with that re-election Obama..... because right now I don't know even one person who would give you the time of day.

    April 8, 2011 at 9:40 am | Report abuse |
  13. PBZTEX

    Hopefully Obama will learn the lessons of what happens when you put our way of life and our childrens future in jeapordy. The military will get paid. The standoff has never lasted more than a month. Its all hype made up to scare everyone. If we have to shut down (I won't be getting my tax refund till later) so be it. We will all learn our lesson for the good of our children.

    April 8, 2011 at 9:41 am | Report abuse |
  14. Isaac Haynes

    I think everything thats going on is reflected from the Holy Bible in the book of Revelations...its about time for them trumpets to sound...

    April 8, 2011 at 9:41 am | Report abuse |
  15. Dave Summers

    There seems to be a lot of displaced anger here. The reason the government is shutting down is that the dems refuse to cut spending. Fiscal conservatives aren't to blame here. They don't want a government shutdown... They are trying to prevent it and even seeking an extension that "The One" promises to veto.

    April 8, 2011 at 9:41 am | Report abuse |
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