U.S. Federal Government shuts down after budget stalemate

At midnight last night, the US Federal government entered a partial shutdown as Congress failed to pass spending legislation before the fiscal deadline. The key agencies and federal operations across the US are now operating under limited authority and many non-essential services will also be halted until a deal is reached by lawmakers.

A government shutdown takes place when the US Congress doesn’t pass the laws needed to fund the federal agencies and programs and hence the President doesn’t sign them into law before the budget deadline. A similar shutdown took place around 6 years ago in the US and that too under Trump’s Presidency. The shutdown took place for 35 days during that time.

What has happened?

• Congress was unable to pass appropriations bills or continuing resolution to fund the government operations beyond the September 30 deadline.

• Republicans and Democrats remain at odds over budget allocations, border security spending, and funding levels for domestic program.

• President Donald Trump has weighed in strongly demanding stricter immigration and border enforcement measures.

What Went Wrong?

• A stopgap measure, which was passed by the Republican Controlled house to fund the operations through November 21 died in the senate, where it failed to reach the needed count of 60 votes.

• Senate Democrats insisted on attaching expansions to health care subsidies and reversing proposed Medicaid cuts which were refused by Republicans.

• With the Senate deadlocked, no compromise came before the funding lapse.

What remains and what shuts down?

• Essential Services will continue to operate but agencies dealing with national security, defense, air traffic control and law enforcement are operating.

• Social Security, Medicare and other programs with separate funding streams will also remain active.

• Many other federal workers are furloughed. Staff including TSA and Air Traffic Controllers will continue to work but without any pay until funding is restored.

• The FAA will furlough over 11,000 employees while also requiring more than 13,000 air traffic controllers to work without pay.

• National parks will remain partially open using revenue from park fees in certain locations; however, visitor services will be suspended.

Netizens cite their dissatisfaction

A user named Eric D Jackson on Facebook while citing his dissatisfaction noted, ‘Don't let this distract you from the fact that Hector is going to be running three Honda civics with spoon engines, and on top of that, he just went into Harry's and bought three t66 turbos with nos, and a motec exhaust system.’

Another user named Tom Murphy stated, “When "the boss" can't see the wood from the trees, no wonder.”

“For those who are asking it means federal operations freeze until Congress agrees on funding. For the Philippines the direct effects will mostly be delays in U.S. services like visas, aid programs and indirect economic ripples like exchange rates and markets. However, the average duration is relatively short, many last only a few days if i'm not mistaken I think the longest one happened last 2019 for 35 days” Kennet Cebrian noted on Facebook.