The United States government could potentially shut down in the coming days if Congress does not strike a deal to keep the government funded. The deadline for the Congress-led action is set at the start of the fiscal year, which is October 1.
What would happen if the government shuts down?
In case the United States Congress does not vote to fund the government, the first to be knocked out will be non-essential federal services, according to a Forbes report citing the Center for a Responsible Federal Budget.
Also Read: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promises legislative nod to infrastructure bill
However, essential federal services include emergency law enforcement departments, fire services and others related to public safety.
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.
The following federal authorities, according to NBC, will be impacted by the potential shutdown:
– Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
-Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
-Social Security and Medicare
– Health and Human Services
-Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
-Environmental Protection Agency
-National Parks
– Food and Drug Administration
Anthony Fauci, the United States’ top virologist, highlighted his fear of a possible government shutdown while the COVID-19 pandemic tightens its grip on the country as the US Congress could possibly fail to reach a consensus on government funding.
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.
