The words “Government Shutdown” get thrown around the news cycle every year– but it’s a real possibility for 2023.
Government funding runs out 12:01 a.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 1. The Senate has been advancing a bill to fund the Government until Nov. 17 that should be able to pass soon, but perhaps not by the hard deadline of Sunday.
On the other hand, House Republicans are still pushing for severe spending cuts rivaling the budget for 2019, saying they will refuse support for the Senate bill as well as any short term legislation that will give Congress time to work out the issue.
The House vote tonight is on four separate government funding bills that would fund defense and national security agencies; however, those bills will be dead on arrival to the Senate.
If the shutdown were to become a reality, “non-essential”government employees are told to not report for work and are not paid until it is over. “Essential” government workers: like air traffic control and law enforcement– are expected to work without pay until the shutdown comes to an end.
Congress will continue to collect a paycheck because of how their pay is treated under the Constitution and federal law.
This can also lead to delays in the processing of passports, government benefits, or drivers licenses; small business loans, shuttered visitor centers and fewer food-safety inspections.
Shutdowns are disruptive at best, and destructive at worst. There should be updates by Friday morning as to the likelihood of a shutdown.