A Breakdown of the Government Shutdown
There has been a lot of talk about the recent government shutdown. This is when the government runs out of money to pay for its services, so they temporarily stop. This can lead to a lot of problems for people who rely on government services. Let's break down why this happens and how it affects the country.
Why is the Government Shutting Down?
Every so often, the government needs to decide on a budget. If they can't agree on how to spend their money, they might have to stop providing some services until they can agree. This is called a government shutdown. Recently, this happened after a bill didn't pass in the Senate. The bill would have allowed the government to keep running with the same budget they already had until a certain date. But, the bill needed more votes to pass, and it didn't get them.
The main thing that the two sides can't agree on is about tax credits that are part of the Affordable Care Act. These credits are set to end at the end of the year, and the Democrats want to extend them. The Republicans say that the Democrats are causing the shutdown because they want these credits to be available to people who are not in the country legally. But, people who are not in the country legally are not allowed to use these benefits.
What Happens During a Shutdown?
During a shutdown, a lot of people who work for the government might not get paid. This could be up to 750,000 people every day, and they would be losing a total of $400 million. Many government departments would have to send home more than half of their workers. This includes the Environmental Protection Agency, the Education Department, and the Commerce Department.
Other effects of a shutdown can include important economic data not being collected, new loans not being processed, and routine inspections by the Food and Drug Administration and EPA being stopped. Some research funding could also be put on hold. In the past, some airport workers stopped showing up for work after not getting paid for a few weeks, which caused delays at major airports.
What Stays Open During a Shutdown?
There are some things that the government has to keep paying for, even during a shutdown. This includes programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, veterans’ disability and pension payments, and federal student loans. Food assistance programs will also keep going as long as they have the money. Other things that are paid for with fees, not yearly government budgets, will also keep going. This includes the U.S. Postal Service and passport and visa processing.
People who are essential workers, like active military personnel and air traffic controllers, have to keep working. Some health-related activities, like monitoring for disease outbreaks and foodborne illness, are also not affected by the shutdown. National parks will stay open, but most of the staff will be sent home. Museums and the National Zoo will also stay open for a while using money from the previous year. The Internal Revenue Service will operate normally for the first five days of the shutdown.
Who is Blaming Who?
Both sides are blaming each other for the shutdown. The Democrats say that the Republicans are causing the shutdown because they won't protect people's healthcare. They say that the Republicans have been making life harder and more expensive for people and that they are acting erratically. The Republicans are saying that the Democrats are causing the shutdown. They say that because of the shutdown, people are losing out on important services like nutrition for mothers and children, healthcare for veterans, and emergency services during hurricane season.
What Might Happen Next?
There is a lot of fear about what might happen if the shutdown continues. The Republicans have said that they might have to make cuts to services that won't be able to be reversed. They also say that they are ready to blame the Democrats for these cuts. The Democrats say that this is an attempt to intimidate them.
Some people think that the Democrats could benefit from the shutdown. They say it might be one of the only ways they can stand up to the Republicans, who control all three branches of the government. But, shutdowns are usually not popular with voters, so it's a risky move.
Some Background
In the past, shutdowns have usually been caused by a small group of Republicans who refuse to vote for a new spending plan unless it includes certain things. Democrats have usually been against shutdowns. But, with the Democrats at a low point in the polls, they might see this as a chance to stand up to the Republicans and improve their image before the next elections.
Some Surprising Facts
The last time the government shut down was in December 2018, during the first term of the current administration. It was the longest shutdown on record, lasting 35 days. The dispute was about funding for a border wall.
The cost of a shutdown can be huge. Disruptions in air and rail travel and closures of national parks and museums could cost the economy $1 billion, according to tourism officials.