So The Government Shuts Down… What Happens Now?

What happens in the U.S. if Congress doesn't reach a budget resolution by midnight? At midnight, if Congress hasn't reached a compromise, the federal government will shut down starting Saturday, April 9. Congress will stay in session seeking to reach an agreement. Because most government employees don't work weekends, there will be little disturbance to most government activities. Should the shutdown last through the weekend and into the following week, that's where the shutdown will start affecting the citizens. If a shutdown occurs, some agencies are designated “essential” and will stay open. Non-essential employees will be forced to turn in any cell phones issued by the government to assure that nobody is continuing work from home. Unfortunately, nobody is aware of exactly what will stay functional and what will be shut down until it actually happens. Federal employees are currently not even aware if they will be working should a shutdown occur. We do know that agencies involving national security, critical foreign relations and the safety of life and property will still function. According to the Federal Trade Commission, “Thus, if it is necessary to close the agency's operations because of a lack of necessary appropriations, all Commission employees shall be furloughed except those: 1) performing work to address a threat to human life or property of such a nature that immediate action is necessary; 2) involved in the orderly shutdown of agency operations or otherwise performing duties where there is necessarily an implied authority to continue certain functions; or 3) otherwise allowed by operation of law. Because Presidential appointees are excepted from furlough as a result of a shutdown, the Commission's Chairman and its Commissioners may continue to work.” The FTC expects to retain under 300 employees during a shutdown. The last government shut down affected about 284,000 government employees, but the one previous to that affected about 800,000 employees. Most employees will most likely receive retroactive pay, but contractors will not. But how will it affect those citizens not employed by the government? Tax refunds, new Social Security benefits and Small Business Administration permits and loans will all be delayed. The National Institute of Health's clinical center would continue functioning, but would not admit any new patients or begin any new clinical trials. The National Zoo, Smithsonian and all national parks would close. The shutdown in 1995 turned away 7 million visitors to national parks and 2 million visitors to national monuments and museums. Passport processing would also be halted, delaying passports for over 200,000 people nationwide.