AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Many of you have been asking about the government shutdown and how it can happen. There have been many questions on our Facebook page so we're going to answer them.
One of the biggest questions we've been asked is how can this happen? The reason is that republicans and democrats are billions of dollars apart when it comes to the budget and they have a time limit set to get it done. If they don't meet the time limit the budget that's already enacted runs out. The last time the government shut down was when president Bill Clinton was in office.
It happened in 1996 and lasted 21 days. "Well, basically, everything that is funded by the federal government won't be, isn't funded any more, so it stops. It comes to a screeching halt," said Dave Rausch, a Political Science Professor at WTAMU. "This government shutdown might be different because the House and Senate are different parties. The Senate is democratic like the president and the house is republican. Back in the mid 1990's it was all republican."
That's what happened then, but what would happen now? The effects would be the same. According to the shutdown scenario described by the administration, the government would have to significantly cut staffing across the executive branch, including workers at the White House and civilian employees at the Defense Department; close to 800,000 workers would be affected. Congress and the federal court system will also be subject to a shutdown.
Benjamin posted this question on our Facebook page, "Who will be working without pay? Who will be shut down? Will our national security be affected? will President Obama still get a paycheck? What about Pantex employees?"
We're going to answer those one by one. If the shutdown happens, for troops on the front lines, it'll be fight now, get paid later. As budget negotiations wear on, 50 Senators are pushing for continued pay for the military if the federal government shuts down on Friday – just over 24 hours from now. The bipartisan effort, led by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), would simply make sure that our troops and their families would not see an interruption in their pay if there is a funding gap as a result of the shutdown. You can find details of the bill here: S. 724, Ensuring Pay for Our Military Act of 2011.
When it comes to working only those who are essential, like military personnel and the FAA which keeps tabs of air traffic would continue. Taxes would still be due in on time, tax refunds? Not so much. The IRS won't process paper returns during a shutdown. Those expecting a refund should file their returns electronically and ask that the money be deposited directly into their bank accounts. When it comes to National parks, here's what the U.S. Department of the Interior said in a statement, "Visitors and potential visitors to national parks, wildlife refuges, and other public lands should be advised that, in the event of a government shutdown, the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management will close and secure park, refuge and visitor facilities on public lands."
Since the military is part of national security, that won't be affected, but when it comes to Pantex employees it gets complicated. Pantex is part of the Department of Energy and unlike other agencies it has funds that would allow them to operate for a limited time.
The Department of Energy's Public Affairs Office released this statement: "We still believe there is an opportunity to avoid a government shutdown but are working to ensure that we are prepared for all possible scenarios. In the event that there is a shutdown on Friday, no federal Department of Energy employees or contractors would be furloughed on Monday. Unlike other agencies, DOE has some no-year funds that would allow us to continue operating for a limited time. Those funds would be available for the federal workforce and contractors through funds obligated to existing contracts and financial assistance instruments."
Finally, President Obama and congress would get paid. Congress is treated differently from federal workers because their pay is part of a mandatory statute that is required. Members of congress would get paid, but their staff would not. There is no mandate or law for federal workers.
Earlier today the house just passed a stop-gap measure that gives the government an extra week to come up with the funding.
Following the passage of a one-week, stopgap spending measure today by Republicans in the House that would prevent a government shutdown and keep paychecks in place for our military, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) made the following statement in response to the President’s announced intention to veto that measure:
“Funding our troops is not a ‘distraction,’ and a veto threat is not what our men and women in uniform need to hear from their Commander-in-Chief when they are fighting three wars. President Obama’s threat to veto funding for our troops is irresponsible, and shows his willingness to shut down the federal government rather than accept responsibility and face fiscal reality.
“For nearly 200 days, our nation has operated without a budget. We have done so because Democrats, while occupying the White House and large majorities in the House and Senate, failed to pass a budget. It is imperative that the Majority Leader now allow the Senate to vote on the House passed measure which provides funding for our troops and avoids a government shutdown.”
But even if the government passes a budget in the next few hours, days, or weeks, we could be talking about this again come September. That's because the budget they're talking about now just runs through the end of September. They still have to talk about next years budget.
