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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.
- What happened to all that talk of helping small businesses? Many government contractors are just that. We're talking about IT firms and software companies, to name a few, who may be sent home as well.
- If the government shuts down for an extended period of time, the Department of Defense says troops, including those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, may not be paid on time. Troops are guaranteed back-pay but the pinch will be more immediate for military families at home, who may be forced to choose between food and rent if they don't know when to expect a check in the mail.
- In the District, trash pickup will be suspended in the event of a government shutdown. In response, some enterprising Facebookers have proposed a solution: "If Boehner shuts down the government I am taking my trash to his house." In addition to trash pickup, the nation's capitol stands to miss out on another cherished tradition: this weekend's Cherry Blossom Festival.
- 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.
- Numerous services administered by the federal government will come to a halt. That means no new approvals of loans by the Federal Housing Administration or the Small Business Administration; no IRS processing of paper tax returns or refunds; no issuing of regular passports or visas (emergency visas and passports will be processed). In fact, anything that requires permits probably will not be processed.
- 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.
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On Twitter
A 6.4-magnitude earthquake has struck Afghanistan, according to the United States Geological Survey cnn.it/3yToTEi
RT @Declaracion: A major #earthquake measuring at least 7.7 on the Richter scale has occurred in South Asia. 1. Remain calm. 2. Follow the…
Zach Braff says his new movie, “A Good Person,” was heavily inspired by his ex-girlfriend, actress Florence Pucnn.it/3JYS9jGfj4B
Stormy got jokes. twitter.com/StormyDaniels/…
The US will deploy Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine faster than originally planned, defense officials say
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@cnnbrk on Twitter
So what is the total cost to run these things listed vs the total budget that is spent now, I bet the difference is huge. Lets set up paypal accounts for military workers, department for roads, national parks, eduction, and social services for the handicapped. Then let us keep our tax money and donate the money to the things we want to pay for. I really don't feel like paying wages to a bunch of overpaid tool bags in washington anyway.
LOL!!
Don't get me wrong I support our troops and all that but everyone forgets its a volunteer military!
The repugs have wanted to kill the federal government for years. Now they get a chance to see what America would be like with one.
I say Congress should forego their pay should the government shut down, since they are the ones causing this mess.
What ever happened to "too big to fail"?
This is the democrats budget they should have passed when they controlled all branches of government. It should have been passed LAST YEAR. Idiots. Shut it down. All non-essentials go home. Hmmmm wht do we even have any non-essentials in government jobs to begin with? Obama is a wimpy, candy ass of a President who cannot LEAD.
How come people in other countries and past Americans stand/stood up for what they believed in and did something about it. All us Americans are doing is going onto websites and writing out complaints. No one is really doing anything about this. Our forefathers would be disappointed.
Maybe beacuse we all have to work our A$$e$ off 5 days a week to live a paycheck to paycheck life......THE GODD OLE AMERICAN DREAM! IT IS A SHAME!!!
Bad timing on our part...we've been planning a trip to DC starting 4/22 for a week to see the capitol for the first time.
Will a government shutdown will impact your buisness? We want to hear from you: http://on.fb.me/hygLYP
"We the people" should do something about our own country. Away with congress!
So let's keep spending like we are rocks stars. That's the solution. Oh wait we have already tried that and were are more in debt than ever in the history of The world and the world is laughing at America.
commenter "caesar" is right. Remember, these guys don't live paycheck to paycheck like we do. Most politicians are millionaires going into it and they wouldn't even feel not getting paid. If you cut Senator McCain's paycheck, he'd have to go cry himself to sleep in one of his 9 homes, if he can remember where he left them. I love how these guys show up to work in 10,000 dollar suits and 180,000 dollar Limos, then tell the rest of us that we need to be cautious about spending.
If the paycheck and healthcare of all Congressional delegates were held hostage to the budget, a budget would already have been passed and health care would already have improved. While Bush, no doubt increased the National Debt, he has long been out of the drivers seat and the current occupant is to blame for any increases since Bush. I have lived within a budget for the last two decades. Budgeting is not all that difficult. If I don't have the money and/or cannot make the payment, I don't buy it! It is as simple as that. The Federal Deficit problem is a direct result of the collective Members of Congress wanting to be re-elected. To get re-elected, the have to keep shelling out "free-bee's" to all the special interest groups. Most people want a realistic Federal budget, but no one wants to cutback on the "free-bee's". To clarify, "free-bee's" are NOT something that you have already earned. A "free-bee's" is someone, some group or some company getting something they have NOT earned. They are getting the "free-bee" totally free because the fall into a particular special interest group. To get out of this financial nightmare, there will have to be a drastic cut in "free-bee's"! NO CUT – inevitable financial ruin on a national scale, with global consequences!
And someone please tell Boehner enough with the tears. The American people are the ones who should be crying at the incompetence and hypocrisy of this government.
Ahhhh..soooo the defense budget is a freebie?
I'm so sick and tired of both parties blaming each other for this potential shutdown. As far as I'm concerend, both parties are to blame. Do me a favor sit down and get it fixed. Time and time again, all I hear is how they are there representing us and taking care of us. All they are doing is beefing up their resumes and lining their pockets with benefits. Here is an idea!! Why not contact all these agencies we bailed out; and tell them it's time to return the favor.
Two thumbs up to Eddie's comment!
Amen!
A simple solution..."If I don't have the money and/or cannot make the payment, I don't buy it! It is as simple as that."
Another simple solution..."If the paycheck and healthcare of all Congressional delegates were held hostage..."
The USA once the most powerful in the world has fallen into corrupt, greedy, and self-serving political leadership!
May God have mercy on all of us working people.
well said!!
My ten friends are going to register to vote soon and we all are going to vote for Obama....now Suck it up!
Amen!
That's my opinion almost verbatim.
We can manage to find billions of bucks to spend fighting for the freedoms of other countries. Never hear, "nah, we can't do Libya because we don't have the money". We tend to forget our quality of life is going to hell.
If congressmen, senators, and all other federal employees "on the hill" are indeed employed by the federal government, then why aren't they subjected to the potential shutdown? Just like Eddie said, if their jobs and income was affected by the shutdown, a budget would have been reached months ago!
They don't need their paychecks. Most of them are millionaires to start with - only millionaires can afford to get elected to Congress. And then when we elect them, we pay them $174000 per year + benefits. And when they leave Congress they get pensions averaging $45000 - for life! So missing a couple of paychecks during a shutdown means diddly squat to them.
If the government shuts down, why will we still be paying Federal Income Tax. Where else in the service industry would you continue paying for services when none are received in return...I'm going to continue paying for my refuse removal service even though they've stopped picking up my trash.
Free-bee's are rampant, it does not make any sense whatsoever to borrow money from China only to give it away. To give it through free-bee's to US citizens, or illegals, or to give money to so called under privileged countries. One more thing, why do we call Democrats or Republicans PARTIES, there's no party in either one of them!
If we cut all their salaries by $100k we could re-allocate about $55million to keep thing open and pay people who actually DO THEIR jobs.
Things we can't afford:
The EPA (Fold into Interior Dept)
The TSA
The NSA (fold it and TSA into FBI)
Federal Highway Funds
Unemployment Insurance ($100B...)
Food Stamps ($70B)
Foreign Aid
NPR/PBS
Hi Speed Trains
Illegal Aliens
Student Loans
Research Grants For Anything
Bridges to Nowhere
Hey Eddie- Where did you study economics? Greece? The current president is responsible? how do you figure? It takes several years sometimes for shifts to start and stop. Here's an analogy that's hopefully not too difficult even for you. You take 8 years pushing a boulder to the edge of a very steep hill. You finally get it rolling and then you expect the person in its path to stop it and then bring it back to the edge with less work and time allotted... If you can figure that one out then you sir are a gentleman and a scholar. Until then, don't even for a moment assume that you know what you are talking about.
@Rally2xs
Because you don't understand it I'll give you a freebie. You take down the NSA, you bring the U.S. (from a security standpoint) to its knees. The reason I say you don't understand it is because NSA and FBI are so completely different that it's almost laughable. Plus it discredits (in my eyes) all your other proposals due to the lack of understanding for this one.
If the government shuts down it will be the perfect time to do a god thing for the economy. Disband the marine corps. We barely have money and supplies to do a 2 week training op. We get broken gear and if we just get disbanded we could go our separate ways and save the usa billions.
Did your Gunny chew you out this morning and now you're pouting??
It has always been that way, they give us orders and nothing to execute them with, whats new? We still get our job done! Military personnel will continue to get paid. Your direct deposit will continue and will not be delayed as the media wants you to believe. When we had shut down in 95-96 military pay was NOT AFFECTED. Defence Finance and Accounting will give you the information 1-888-332-7411 also you can check with your command disbursement unit if you are concerned. This is political rubbish.
The lack of intellect of your post proves why you are a grunt. You're probably Army, or some PoS shower shoe who just hit the fleet, and still have the aroma of cash sales that can't handle the Marines. Good day, sir.
@X
Even the marines I know say they are not the most intelligent lot, just courageous. So by accusing him of being army, you come off as if you are unintelligent. Or an ex-marine.
Lost gift shop sales is what will bring us to our knees.
Hey grunt. Dispand my marine corps. Huh? We don't even GET billions of dollars. The navy does. You must be some pfc. Or junior marine of some kind to utter that blasphemy. The marine corps has ALWAYS
Of course your military pay will be delayed. That is up to the President, and there has never been a president who hates the military like this one.