Heres what you should probably know about how a government shutdown could affect you.
Whats a Government Shutdown and Why Is This Happening?
Without an approved budget plan, government agencies will no longer have access to federal funds come October 1st.
This isnt the first time the country faced the prospect of a shutdown.
This year itsabout Planned Parenthood.
Still,at least 28 conservative Republicansvow not to approve any budget that includes funding for Planned Parenthood.
So we are at an impasse, with the budget deadline looming.
Who Does a Government Shutdown Affect?
Yay, well still get our mail!
(Congresspeople, by the way,continue to get a paycheck.)
Although previous shutdowns lasted only a few weeks, the threat of another one is already having its impact.
Most importantly, during a shutdown, important services will be halted.
In 2013 the agency had contingency funds, but those are no longer available.
Plus:
Beyond this, the Federal government also incurred other direct costs as a result of the shutdown.
The Smithsonian lost $4 million in revenue.
Lets also not forget thatPokemon X and Y were delayedand we lost access tonew beersduring that time!
It was only 16 days, but a very expensive 16 days.
Whats Next
Clearly this is not a great way to govern.
Few in or out of Washingtonexceptsome Republican presidential candidate hopefulswant a shutdown.
Even the Republican party, who would likely be blamed for the shutdown, is also split on this.
In the 2013 shutdown, this strong-arming tactic didnt work.
(Even if this stopgap measure passes, it will only delay a possible shutdown until December.)
One budget expertputs the chance of a shutdown at 75%.
All we know for sure is that the casualties in this war are really theUS taxpayers and employees.
There isnt much we as individuals can do now about a potential government shutdown.
Illustration by Sam Woolley.
