What is a federal government shutdown? A federal government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass a spending bill before the end of the fiscal year (September 30). This means that there is no money to fund most federal government operations, and many federal employees are furloughed (temporarily laid off). Essential services, such as law enforcement and public safety, continue to operate.
Impact of federal government shutdowns Federal government shutdowns can have a significant impact on the economy and on the lives of Americans. Shutdowns can: – Disrupt essential services, such as passport processing and airport inspections – Delay the processing of Social Security and veterans benefits – Close national parks and museums – Reduce economic growth – Lead to the furlough of millions of federal employees
How to prevent federal government shutdowns The best way to prevent federal government shutdowns is for Congress to pass a spending bill before the end of the fiscal year. This can be challenging, especially when Congress is divided between the two major political parties. However, it is important for members of Congress to work together to avoid the negative consequences of a shutdown.
What to do if there is a federal government shutdown If there is a federal government shutdown, there are a few things you can do: – Stay informed about the status of essential services and benefits – Contact your elected officials and urge them to end the shutdown – Make contingency plans in case your job or essential services are disrupted
Data slide Impact of the 2018-2019 federal government shutdown – 800,000 federal employees furloughed – $11 billion in lost economic activity – 10% decrease in visitors to national parks – 6,000 cancelled flights – 100,000 delayed passport applications
Case study: The impact of the 2018-2019 shutdown on federal employees Many federal employees were furloughed or forced to work without pay during the 2018-2019 shutdown. This had a significant impact on their finances and their lives. One federal employee, who was furloughed for 35 days, said that she had to take out a loan to cover her living expenses. She also said that her children were stressed about the possibility of being evicted from their home. Another federal employee, who was forced to work without pay, said that he had to skip meals in order to save money. He also said that he was worried about how he would be able to pay his bills.
Conclusion Federal government shutdowns have a significant negative impact on the economy and on the lives of Americans. It is important for Congress to work together to avoid shutdowns and to ensure that the federal government is able to operate effectively.