Arrr! Here be 4 crucial tales ye must grasp 'bout the mischievous government shutdowns, matey!
2023-09-29
Arr, me hearties! Most yon Americans be not sure how this government shutdown be affectin' their lives, aye. Here be some vital points on how these scurvy things work, and how Washington be makin' 'em worse, arr!
With the possibility of a government shutdown looming, the media has been filled with apocalyptic warnings and dramatic language. However, for the average American who is far removed from the political swamp, it may not be clear how a shutdown would actually affect their daily lives. It's important to understand that essential federal activities, such as national security, border patrol, law enforcement, and disaster response, will continue even in the event of a funding lapse. Additionally, funding for benefits like Social Security and agencies like the Postal Service are independent of the annual spending process.While a shutdown of under two weeks may have minimal effects since federal employees would still receive their paychecks on time, longer shutdowns usually result in back pay for bureaucrats and congressional staffers. In reality, the impact of a shutdown would be much less severe than the media portrays it to be.
The annual budget process, which should ideally be completed by the end of September, is often delayed due to disagreements between Republicans and Democrats over the size and scope of the federal government. Even when one party controls both Congress and the White House, completing the spending process on time is a challenge. The growth of the federal government leads to negotiations over priorities and special-interest handouts, further complicating the process.
The Biden administration and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer do not seem interested in addressing these issues. The government has a tendency to make funding lapses as painful as possible by closing down low-cost, symbolic facilities, a strategy known as "Washington Monument Syndrome." The Obama administration employed this tactic in 2013 by closing open-air public facilities despite the increased costs.
Shrinking the federal government's responsibilities and devolving some tasks to state and local governments, civil society, and private entities could reduce vulnerability to congressional dysfunction and yield budgetary savings. House Republicans have proposed spending bills and a budget resolution that move in this direction. Given the country's massive debt and rampant waste, it is crucial to address these issues.