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. groverg

    •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"

    What is the government doing collecting garbage anyway?

    April 8, 2011 at 2:19 pm | Report abuse |
  2. mike kerns

    when you vote republican/tea party. Trouble is what you get.

    April 8, 2011 at 2:19 pm | Report abuse |
  3. jack

    wellllllllllllllll sorry but i agree with josie...............at least she is not ignorant like some here

    April 8, 2011 at 2:20 pm | Report abuse |
    • jOSIE

      jack thanks ..................... at least u got i buddy...................remember what i said................. 🙂 ur smart

      April 8, 2011 at 2:39 pm | Report abuse |
    • Josie needs to go away

      Now Josie is DID......two personalities huh? Posting as Jack and Josie just makes you twice as stupid.

      April 8, 2011 at 4:37 pm | Report abuse |
  4. maddox

    Are they going to stop funding for all vacations and campaign trips for that moron in the White House during the government shutdown? I doubt that money gets taken away!

    April 8, 2011 at 2:22 pm | Report abuse |
  5. vey victus

    Why is it noone can see that this is a serious issue, shutting down the government is a bad thing and not only because trash is going to pile up in the streets.
    Among other things national parks will close and the rangers that protect them will be gone on furlough most likely. This means possible desecration of our nations parks and landmarks not to mention theft.

    And if you havn't gotten your taxes in by tonight, guess what you are probably screwed, be prepared to hear from the IRS since taxes won't be processed if this shutdown occurs.

    Not to mention if you are a student waiting on your pell grants to come, good luck they won't be mailed out and if you don't have parents who are willing to pay for it sell your soul to the bank loans because otherwise you are screwed too.

    Oh and I hope noone plans on getting sick soon, or hurt or applying for federal medical assistance because guess what your request will not be processed.

    Hope you also realize road construction will be put on hold, as will phone line maintenence the revamp of the national electrical grid oh and the water system too.
    And of course our men and women risking thier lives may not get thier paychecks, and anyone below the poverty line who relies on federal help for food from thier food banks guess what prepare to go on a forced diet.

    Oh and not to mention all the money it will cost to safely shut down the government and restart it again, also the loss in revenue from various state funded industries.

    On the upside if anyone has plans to steal the hope diamond, now would be the perfect time to do it since the smithsonian will be closed and all guards put on furlough.

    Did I forget that we will lose tax revenue, and for those who hate taxes fact is without taxes the government could not function and less tax revenue equals less GDP equals longer recession.

    Sorry I had to pop the crazy bubble, because sanity is needed once in awhile.

    April 8, 2011 at 2:22 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Bill

    Remember – this is the 2011 budget that we are talking about. The budget that the Democrats did not create / pass even when they controlled the White House AND BOTH houses of Congresslast summer !! And thsi is the Republicans fault? Wake up!

    April 8, 2011 at 2:22 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Kevin Collins

    Well, a great benefit of no new Social Security applications being processed - Illegals will just have to wait to register their anchor babies before they can get on taxpayer-funded welfare!

    April 8, 2011 at 2:23 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Debra blake

    Both my husband I are retired military (over twenty years each), and our government has shown a disregard for the people who voted for them. I would love to mandate those senators and house reps to have a job description written for them with deadlines and fines for not completeing tasks...ie. the budget!!! I suggest they are not ALLOWED to run for any givernment position, voted by and for the people of the United States again because of lack of ability (otherwise the budget would have completed on time). Oh and thier paychecks should be cut 60% effect today (for the betterment of the country). Also, thier job description should mandate how many days there vacation is (30 days a year is good enough for the military), and a fine for each time they do not vote on issues for and by the people. There job is to ensure we the people are well represented.

    April 8, 2011 at 2:23 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Joe

    Let's just see what happens when the government "shuts down", I'll bet it won't affect anyone outside the military. In San Diego, the liberals said the city would come to a halt without a tax increase, and when voters did not approve it, nothing happened, services did not diminish or go away, they were just forced to cut the fluff, and believe me there is a ton of fluff in goverment.

    April 8, 2011 at 2:24 pm | Report abuse |
  10. John

    do all of you saying republican this and democrat that, get it? they ALL are pulling the wool over our eyes, while WE get scammed by them! what goes on in Washington is ridiculous. i frankly am getting tired of working 60-80 hours a week and seeing my money go down the drain......QUIT SPENDING, we do not have the money! I'm tired of being taxed for EVERYTHING....

    April 8, 2011 at 2:24 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Abigail

    Not like my opinion is going to matter (seeing how many comments you have.) But the government shut down doesn't bother me. It's the middle of April. This budget should have been done months ago. And a balanced budget just like everything household [should] have, and every state needs to have. So far as I'm hearing, there is a law that will allow for the government to continue operating for a little bit longer, and no cut on soldiers' pay, but Obama refuses to sign it. So who is the one that will really be shutting down the government? I think both parties are responsible, but I sure hope the Republicans don't cave just because people are writing blog posts about all the "horrible" things that will happen if it does shut down.

    Besides, everyone will get paid eventually. Though I suppose if these are government workers, they probably budget just as poorly as the US government seems to budget and don't have any savings.

    April 8, 2011 at 2:25 pm | Report abuse |
  12. phap s.

    Its very upsetting that they would close the parks my family lives near custer state park, and during the summer our town depends on the people stopping to eat r play before going on to the park. If thats closed it wouldnt surprise me to see other business close this year. All Thanks to stubborn millionars on the hill.

    April 8, 2011 at 2:25 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Rick B

    I'm glad the IRS will shut down, but. It upsets me that they will continue to pay WELFARE bums but not the military. I would forfeit my tax rebate of they would stay closed down.

    April 8, 2011 at 2:25 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Holly

    Wha! what a bunch of cry babies.............If your in the military and live off base and have no saving account your screwed. Most military live on base and pay for nothing....They will survive. If your in the military and don't have a healthy saving account your just stupid!

    April 8, 2011 at 2:27 pm | Report abuse |
  15. guitarharry

    Tea Partiers try to paint people who work for the government as fat bureaucrats. Yeah, there are a few those, but the vast majority of federal employees are just blue-collar people trying to pay their bills. So much for sticking up for the hard-working middle class, huh? And federal employees are not the only ones who are going to be screwed by this stupidity; I pedal a bicycle taxi around the DC mall. My job, along with tens of thousands of others who work in tourist industry in Washington DC is in jeopardy. We are wondering how we will eat/pay rent/buy gas etc. if the shutdown goes more than a few days; solution? Welfare!!! I know a woman who works for a bus tour company and this might just put them out of business permanently, placing thousands of people not anywhere near Washington DC on welfare: is this your idea of "cutting spending" TeaPartiers?!! You are all just a bunch of dumb rednecks who are like sheep, following the dictates of the likes of Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck.

    April 8, 2011 at 2:27 pm | Report abuse |
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