The federal government is on the brink of a shutdown as Congress scrambles to reach a temporary funding agreement before the looming deadline. The failure of a bipartisan funding package and a subsequent House GOP bill has left lawmakers in a race against time to avert a shutdown.
The bipartisan agreement, now defunct, aimed to keep the government operational through March 14, providing disaster aid, economic relief for farmers, and the first pay raise for lawmakers since 2009. The GOP bill, which also failed, sought to keep the government open through mid-March, including disaster aid funding and a debt ceiling suspension.
If a funding plan is not approved by the end of Friday, all federal agencies will be affected. Each agency has its own shutdown procedures, determining furloughed employees, essential staff working without pay, and halted activities.
A potential shutdown could disrupt air travel during the busy holiday season, with the TSA warning of possible delays. The National Parks Service plans to maintain routine visitor services through Sunday, with some states pledging to fund the operation of national parks within their borders.
The Defense Department would also be impacted, with military personnel facing pay disruptions. Essential government functions, such as Social Security and Medicare benefits, would continue despite a shutdown.
Previous shutdowns have closed museums, affected IRS operations, and delayed federal lending. The potential consequences of a shutdown are concerning for federal employees and the public, with over 875,000 workers facing furloughs and 1.4 million essential employees working without pay.
The threat of a shutdown has raised alarms among federal employee unions, highlighting the detrimental effects on workers and essential services. The impact of a shutdown could be felt early, affecting millions of Americans who rely on government services.
President Trump's previous experience with a prolonged government shutdown underscores the urgency of reaching a funding agreement to avoid disruptions and economic harm. The bipartisan funding deal, if passed, would provide crucial disaster aid and relief for farmers across the nation.
