US government shutdown: How will it impact day-to-day lives of Americans?

The United States government may shut down in the coming days if the country’s Congress fails to reach a consensus on raising the debt ceiling and fund federal agencies for smooth functioning. In case a deal is not cracked, the government will officially close on October 1 at midnight.

How would the day-to-day life of Americans be impacted? 

-Social security and medicare

Social security and medicare are categorised under mandatory spending programmes and thus would not be directly impacted by any annual appropriations, according to reports from CBS.

Even though such payments would continue to be given away from government funds that have been allocated in advance, other financial assistance may be disrupted. Services like card issuance and benefits verification, which are required for applying for loans and mortgages, can face obstacles.

Which essential services would continue?

Each federal agency would have its own shutdown plan, which is coordinated by the Office of Management and Budget. Those efforts would determine which government activities would stop until the political impasse between Democrats and Republicans is resolves and funding is renewed. 

Every federal agency in the United States has its own shutdown plan, however, some continue to function while others either limit or completely stop their activities. All essential services would continue in the country. Some of these agencies include:

-Border protection

-Air traffic control

-Power grid maintenance

-In-hospital medical care

-Law enforcement

Who will be impacted?

With no funds flowing from the federal budget, more than half of the 2.1 million federal employees would likely be temporarily out of work, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. 

However, the due paychecks would be dispatched to the federal employees once the lawmakers reach an agreement on the United States budget.

While a series of votes are being lined up in the United States House of Representatives and Senate, the real action is unfolding behind the scenes. United States President Joe Biden is personally calling lawmakers in an effort to resolve differences and bring his sweeping domestic policy vision forward, according to reports from Associated Press.