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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.
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
cnn.it/3JzWV5z
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
cnn.it/3JzWV5z
@cnnbrk on Twitter
@something – Ouch! All I was saying was the graphic novel was better than the movie. I think that's a very valid opinion. Alan Moore is a masterful storyteller. The opinion that Americans would rather watch a movie than read a book is also valid. As to making the story into a blueprint for revolution that's all Josie...and the crazy guy that shot up that Florida school board meeting.
Another pointless article to start crap that does not even remotley matter.........good ol U.S of A 🙁
The government shuts down, so they expect me to still pay my taxes for work not being done? Why not? they don't do anything when the government is supposedly "operating" anyway. What a great time to start anarchy and revolt in the US. We need a revolution to fix the disgraceful mess our country has become.
Don't worry, Donald Trump will save us !
YOU KNOW I ACTUALLY CARE WHY SHOULD I ...............IGNORANCE...............IS A HARD THING TO OVERCOME.............................
Why Can't people Type a normal damn sentence?
Is this Josie again?
HEY I WONDER IF A GOVT WILL EFFECT RETARDS ON THE INTERNET ?
Cheez, man, let's overcome your ignorance about TYPING IN ALL-CAPS. IT'S RUDE AND LOOKS CHILDISH. Calm down and take your time.
Military in the states only received half a pay check today......
"Word is getting around..."??? What kind of reporting is that? We read CNN for news and information – NOT RUMORS. We don't need hearsay, hyperbole, unfounded suggestions. We need INFORMATION. How about giving us some, instead of whispering in our ears "You know, they say that....."
PHONY NEWS. Since Fox, unfair and unbalanced, is no alternative, we have nothing between the two of you.
I'll tell you how it's already ruining my day. I'm a Soldier and we are no longer being paid. We received our paychecks early today...slashed of course so it's just over half what i'd be making if paid on time. I don't know when i'll be getting paid now. I'm fortunate because I am have a lot of money stashed away right now after getting back from deployment, but i'm trying to buy a car and I can't get a loan if they see i'm not getting paid anymore because I need to be earning X amount per month. This shut down also effects the civilian workers on post which means as of Monday, I won't be able to get some stuff done that I need done because they won't even be here!
I'm afraid I'm going to have to throw the Bulls**t flag on that.
Are you serious? I am trying to buy a car!? Stop whining, loser. We will get paid, it will just be delayed. This affects civilian government workers and military families much more. You trying to stock up on hot pockets is not a major concern. Unbelievable.
You must be buying your first car because this shutdown isn't going to affect your ability to get a loan, especially if you have money stashed away. Any dealer who wants to sell you a car will deliver it anyway if all that's delaying the deal is a gov't shutdown. And all that aside, even if your car purchase is delayed, waa frickin' waa. Cry me a river. If you have so much money stashed then go pay cash for your car.
I'm pretty sure you're full of it. There has been no changes to current pay "In Anticipation" of a shutdown.
Maybe you're a soldier when you play "Call of Duty: Black Ops" all night.
I sincerely hope that for you and all others in the military and their families; as well as all of the government employees, small businesses close to national parks, the long list of those who will most definitely be negatively affected by this – that a shut down does not happen.
There are enough Americans who have been suffering in the wake of 2 wars in the middle east and the near depression that we're slowly coming out of that was heaped upon us in the Bush administration.
Now that Republicans have the least bit of control again, it's all turning into political agenda nightmare that's only hurting the American Citizens.
Michael, My Son just called me. He's getting ready to deploy to Iraq in a few weeks. He has about $4-5 hundred $$s worth of uniforms and equipment he needs to buy befor he goes. No check on 4/15 for him, means he deploys unequiped. I'm having a real bad day now. We are going to send these kids into a combat zone without the proper equipment.......John Bohner gets a seat in the first hummvie in line.........the teabaggers get seats on the rest of the convoy. These people really don't give a CR@P who they hurt or kill as long as they get re-elected and get to shove their "moral" agenda down the rest of our thoats. I thought these right wing nuts were supposed to be christian.... So what would Jesus do??
Thank you for your service. Good luck to you and your family!!!
Wow, am I the only one who's not a tea partier or someone with the understanding and intellect of a Southpark 4th grader that responded to this post?
@ Heartsong – You're not one of the 4th graders I was referring to.
Thanks for your service to our country!.
Yessir, mine is short too!
All will get paid, to prepared for the 15 Apr payday military payroll will be in two parts (one part for pay from 1-8 Apr and a second part for pay from 9-15 Apr). If you look at your mid-month pay statements in MyPay today, you will see the reduced amount for only 1-8 Apr (about half the normal amount)--again, that is because the system is postured to provide military members their mid month pay in two parts to support a possible shutdown.
He's not the only one with only 1/2 a paycheck from the Military. It's happening all over the place. It was funny to have an LES for 4/15 already being posted until I saw how little it was.
Sorry to hear that. I have spoke to a couple of others with highly slashed paychecks. And a couple of them have familys. So sounds like a lot of people are going to have a hard couple of weeks. Good luck with keeping things going.
And with some towns depending on nearby bases, this is going to really going to hurt a lot of people.
@ dpc531…it is obviously clear that you have never served or your intelligence level is very low. Have you not been watching the news lately about being able to just go around a kill Afgans? Are you kidding me when you say “soldiers who can’t win shouldn’t get paid??” How about you go raise your right hand and take the oath. Now call me crazy but most civilians understand what Rules of Engagement mean. You should do everyone a favor and just stop breathing or better yet just go play in traffic.
@ Michael Brown…I understand what you are saying. It is hard enough having to plan everything according to the civilians schedule, and how are the FNG’s supposed to go through CIF or in process? How can the government expect you to fight when you are not getting paid? Maybe if everyone acts like bill collectors and calls 800 times a day looking for their money, they might get the hint. Last I checked you can’t tell a bill collector that you will send them an I.O.U. Just saying.
DJjamminJ –
i guess you never heard of freedom of speech? it's what our military is fighting for. if you cant take the
criticism of the debacle in afghanistan then go to canada. General patton would have knocked off the taliban in about two weeks. what s shame to see a great military turned into a bunch of social workers!
Lady Anon
"Wow, am I the only one who's not a tea partier or someone with the understanding and intellect of a Southpark 4th grader that responded to this post?"
Okay, we're waiting...convince us.
I am also a soldier. I also had my pay "reduced" which is not completely accurate seeing as though I will eventually be paid it is not like I will be missing out. I also have money stashed so I am not worried. Soldiers overseas should worry less because they get paid MORE and have less use for it. Planned Parenthood needs to remain funded. I have used it and referred several people to their facilities over the last 9 years. It is a helpful organization and the youth of america would crumble without it.
Michael, you are not being truthful. No checks were issued to military early and partial.
Thank you for your service.
Now, with that said, I'll get to the point. You want to buy a car? Use the cash you have, or wait this out. You'll get paid eventually.
As for others blaming this ALL on the Republicans... guess what? It is BOTH parties faults here, not just one. They BOTH are to blame. If you're really all that hot and upset over this, guess what? STOP VOTING PARTISAN. STOP VOTING REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT.
Yes, you heard right. Don't vote for EITHER party. Vote independent. Vote outside the "sphere" and actually get something done to benefit America.
This shutdown? I hope they do shut the government down. I'll miss out on going to a national park this weekend, but maybe, just maybe, it will knock some sense into everyone's head that partisan politics are ruining America.
Then why don't you tell your Republican heroes that you don't give a damn whether some woman wants to terminate her pregnancy or not and to stop letting the right wing nutjob teabaggers run their agenda?
If the military men and women are not getting paid, they should start a military coup - we seem to support lots of them around the world, why not practice what we preach and overthrow the broken government.
Why do we cal government funded radio and tv in 3rd world countries "propaganda", but here at home it is NPR?
To all of you who are calling BS on this–no, he's right. Did you read the article? Yes, at *some point* members of the military get paid. But at the moment? Nope. Guess who's not going to be working tomorrow as a Judge Advocate because of the shutdown? Me.
So I would kindly ask everyone who is ripping on this guy to do us all a favor and only comment when you have something intelligent to say.
if the previous posts are from "Americans" this country has bigger problems than it's government...
I feel for the soldiers that wont get paid if in fact that is what happen but that is as far as my sypathy will go. We shouldnt be putting you all in harms way for the pockets of a few corporations(oil) in the first place. Second we should privatize anything that can be.
For all of you that think this is a Reblican or Demecarat thing are morons. this mess was created both parties to make us depend on the govenment. 40% of the country is paying for the other 60% and it is about to fall apart because govenmnets waste money as fast as they bring it in. We need to privatize most of what our govenment does if we want to survive the future. If education was privatized that wouldnt be effected. If the parks system was privatized that would be fine too. The United Postal Service might shut down but now fed ex or UPS because they have to live withing their means or they go under. Govenment is acting more like a cancerous growth that is killing this economy becuae it has bitten off way more than it can chew. There is abolutely no oversight and when the books dont balance they just throw more money at the problem. If any person did this in our own lives we would be on the streets within a year.
LCD Televisions and other Brand New Electronics being sold for pennies on a dollar. PennyTvStore.com
The United States Congress is non-essential and should NOT get paid. Period. They are not doing their job, so they shoudln't get paid. Let's have a show of hands of how many people would get fired if they didn't do their job...
How they can look their fellow Federal workers in the eye and say they're non-essential is way beyond me. There should be an easier way to "fire" these people. All they think of is themselves.
SOOOOOO TRUE they shouldn't get paid.. and we as voter had BETTER remember who didnt do WHAT come NOVEMBER!
I'm surprised that the debate over Term Limits hasn't come back up stronger...
I agree the Congerss should have their pay on hold and so should President Obama.
Guess my other comment didnt make it on because it was too racy for you cnn? was it the ted kennedy comment?
Why?
Once again the REPUBLICANS are going to really screw things up.//Stock market is now selling off on the bad news, they got their tax cuts though, that was sooooo important to them. CUT TAXES FOR THE RICH, THEN WAIT! DONT SPEND THE MONEY ON THE MIDDLE CLASS, THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY PAY INTO THE SYSTEM. AND FOR REFERENCE, MIDDLE CLASS IS NOW IN THE $50K-$250K YEAR RANGE. ITS THE PEOPLE MAKING OVER $250K ESPECIALLY OUTSIDE OF NORTHEAST AND CALIFORNIA WHO ARE REALLY LIVING GOOD. HEY REPUBLICANS, IF YOU DONT WANT TO SPEND IT, STOP GIVING TAX CUTS WHICH REDUCES THE REVENUE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! SIMPLE MATH HERE..
LESS TAX DOLLARS FROM RICH=LESS REVENUE TO PAY FOR THINGS COUNTRY NEEDS.
DID EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THAT?
MAKE RICH PAY HIGHER % OF THEIR INCOME=TAX REVENUE TO SPEND
MIDDLE CLASS IS ALREADY PAYING INTO SYSTEM EVEN WITH THE "TAX CUT" WE GOT.
NOW IS IT CRYSTAL CLEAR?/ THE REPUBLICANS ARE A JOKE!
@Bob:
What a simple little world you live in, one where there is one big, bad ogre ("the Republicans") responsible for all the ills of a nation. Reality check, Bob: both major parties are to blame. They are way less interested in you and me than in shoring up their power in D.C. " We the people" have been giving back seat to "we, the parties". It will take the courage of the "average American" to stand up to a broken system and demand change. Do you have that courage, Bob?
Bob, obviously you don't see the big picture.You could double the tax in the "rich" and you would still have a huge spending problem. You would still be unable to pay down the debt for years and years if you kept spending flat. I agree that on the tax front we need to get corporations to pay taxes by closing loopholes. Capital fuels capitalist society, if you take to much out you will Lower revenues generated by investment. Ask yourself to we need to spend alll this money on useless programs and organizations? I think not.
That is the language of those without aspirations. This is not to say you, Bob, are of that ilk, but you're speaking in their terms.
It's inconceivable to me that so many people out there believe that the solution you offer is the course we should set. Tax the rich more than their middle-class brethren? How is that American or Democratic, in any sense?
I admit that it's easy to despise those who have more than us, but it is not just. Most "rich" Americans have worked hard – damn hard – for their money, and they deserve to enjoy the increased reward of their increased effort.
It is not up to the rich to save this country; it's not even their responsibility. It is our responsibility as Americans, and as humans, to provide for ourselves.
We pay taxes in order to ensure that our country and our property is protected, and that our nations infrastructure is sufficient to support its growth. To ask more than that is to ask us to sacrifice our lives, our effort, and our time to a cause outside of ourselves.
We should not be required to spend our money – the result of our personal effort – to alleviate the discomfort or hardship of those who have been presented with opportunities to provide for themselves. None of us should have to carry the burden of another human's struggle.
America was not a country founded on the principles of self-sacrifice, quite the opposite; it is a country founded on the belief that each of its residents deserve a chance to make their own way, to carve their own niche, and to build their own fortune.
Say it with me, "I swear – by my life and my love of it – that I shall never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another to live for mine."
Hey Bob; That is why we are in the mess that we are in because the Democrats and President Obama want to spend, spend, spend us into oblivion! Think about that because your children and grandchildren will be in debt to the so-called "Federal Government" and I am sure they will be sooo proud of you! It's time to take back our country and it's finances before it's too late!
Just to make everything fair, I'll pay a tax of 15% of all my income after taking a standard deduction if everyone else does the same - that includes all income levels. No itemizing. Just a flat 15% of ALL income minus the standard deduction. What could be more fair?
So, John G – do you use roads? Fire and police protection? The duty of the rich is to just make sure they enjoy their wealth? How self-centered are you? Got a clue for you, Sparky – EVERYONE who works works hard. We have to work hard to pay for what we have. I work my butt off for a not for profit organization that – GASPS – helps POOR PEOPLE and CHILDREN! Imagine that! Working hard to BENEFIT SOCIETY. I don't make a fortune doing it, but you see, there is more to life than wealth. There is compassion and a desire to work for the greater GOOD, not the benefit of one's self. So, enjoy your self-centered wealth. You can't take it with you.
We (those of us who worked very hard to get where we are in life) already pay the top 94.3654% of taxes..... I'm tired of giving better than 47% of annual earnings. How about if 'WE' quit paying altogether? Then everything would be in a worse mess than this!
Anyone who puts party ahead of country is not a real American.
The Republicans are not at fault here. The government's fiscal year starts and ends in the fall, so the budget, no matter who was in charge, should have been written in the summer/fall of 2010! The Democrats had MONTHS to pass a yearly budget last fall. The fact is THEY DIDN'T DO IT! They had complete control of the House, the Senate and the White House and they didn't do their jobs then. They have NO excuses for not getting the job done earlier. And even if they weren't smart enough to pass a budget in the fall, the Democrats KNEW that they were losing control of the House in January (when the new House reps were sworn in), so why didn't they put their budget in place during the time period between Nov and Jan?
I'll tell you why–because the Democrats are lazy and selfish. They were busy pouting about the election results and thinking about their own winter holidays rather than actually helping the american public!!
@Tam:
Indeed, we all use those things, and we should all pay toward them; I indicated as much in my original comment. We're not disagreeing here.
You desire the freedom to help those you wish to help, without a governing body dictating who you can help, how, and when. I want that same freedom.
It's not money I'm saying we should enjoy, at least, it's not just money; it is the result of our efforts that each of us should be allowed to treasure, in what way we will. There is no doubt that you work hard; at least, I have no reason to doubt that you do.
It is obvious that you enjoy what you do, and that you seem to have a passion for it. You help people, every day, and receive feelings of fulfilled compassion, empathy.
That satisfaction, however, is the reward for your hard work; just as money is the reward for others'. Should a money-maker's reward be taxed because it is tangible? Should we then assign a tax to feelings of compassion?
If the government were to say, "You enjoy your work more than other people enjoy theirs. You must pay higher taxes as a result." Would you agree, or would you fight them tooth and nail?
The good-will you generate through your work is a reward that you cannot take with you, when you die. It, like money, is a mortal currency. And I admit there are, perhaps, religious motivations to consider. But is sacrifice still sacrifice if a reward is expected?
You speak of the greater good. So do I. What greater good is there than the freedom to decide?
I work hard to make money – money that I very well may spend to support your organization – what am I doing wrong? How can any one justify robbing me of my liberty, of my freedom to decide? It cannot be justified, because it's not right.
Keep doing what you do, Tam, because there are not enough people with the inclination to do so. I do, however, wonder that you don't find work that will pay you for what your time is worth, while allowing you to do good at the same time.
I would like to inform the general public that despite what the Media is reporting Soldiers will not continued to be paid if the government shuts down. In the Army we have LESs (Leave and Earnings Statements) which project how much our next paycheck will be and when we will be receiving our next pay check. I just checked my LES and my pay for this month reflects that on the 15th I will be only paid for my work through the 9th of April. It seems a bit ironic that the Congressmen who may bring about the next government shut down will continue to be paid were as the military which is currently fighting to defend our Freedoms will not.
If Congress is going to shut down, they should be the ones to take a pay cut. I hope they compromise first. Compromise has been used in US politics since the beginning. In many cases, it's more honorable than shutdown.
All the media reports I have read have stated that if the shutdown occurs, military will not be paid on time, but will get back pay once a budget is approved. Your LES is reflecting exactly that. On the boat I serve, the word we received was our checks may not be the full amount, but we are earning back pay and will not lose anything.
If you are a current Army infantry officer, whatever scuttlebutt you are listening to should be verified before counted on as factual. When you took your oath, you should have realized there would be sacrifices on occasion. To use a quote you should be familiar "be all you can be" and suck it up.
I find it strange that the shutdown is not official yet, but the LES's already show the cut.
The temporary cut in the pay is mostly going to hurt the families of the military members who still have to pay rent/mortgages and other bills. Yes, military members WILL get paid, eventually. But no one knows when at this point.
don't soldiers get room and board? i don't mean this in a snarky way, either. but don't they have all their necessities provided for them gratis during services? so, like, at most, shouldn't this mean that soldiers' families have to work, too? i know there's hardship involved–no doubt. but if my employer stopped paying me, they wouldn't be feeding, sheltering and clothing me either...
How can this happen to my fellow service members and myself. We defend our country to the fullest. These politicians do nothing for our country. They help us fail as a nation. Would we be this far in debt if we didnt involve ourselves in wars that are not our concern. How much did Lybia cost us. How much did Haiti cost us. Im proud to help people but to what cost. Now America needs help and where are the countries we helped. How can they expect us to serve these country while our families are struggling to survive. And as far as all the talk about that is why you should have a savings, kiss my ass. My savings is for what i want it to be, not for what i need it to be. SIR make sure your family is taking care of and say a prayer for YOUR people who are struggling to survive and fighting to keep YOUR country safe from foreign threats. GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES MILITARY!
Leaders of our government was handed a messy assignment; lots of work, time, and scarifices are made to fix a problem. Government workers lack work ethics; every government agencies I went to made me wait for hours as they sit there and take their time on processing the work! So I don't feel sorry for them, full benefits, full pension, great 401K! But their work performance do not deserve those benefits! Blaming the government is wrong, blame the consumers for irresponsibly taking on loans and bankers who greedly give out loans without thorough verification. What was it called?!?! Jumbo loan? Greed is what led us here!
I am a govt. employee. We pay for healthcare and other benefits. And many of us under the new FERS system are not getting full pensions but will rely on social security and our own savings like most other americans.
Hey, stupid person! I'm a very hard-working federal employee!! I work long hours and regularly take work home evenings and weekends (off the clock) to make sure it gets done! How dare you claim that gov't workers have no ethics!!
It is quite obvious that you have no idea what you are talking about. First trying learning the language of the country that took you in, instead of the giberish you posted. Regardless of what you believe, all federal/government employees are not lazy and I for one work my butt off on a daily basis as a memebr of the United States Air Force to ensure that morons like you can live freely!!!