1. Government Shutdown

2. What got us to this point, and who’s at fault if the government closes? Under budget law passed 39 years ago, House and Senate must approve 12 appropriations bills funding the federal gov’t by Sept. 30- last day of fiscal year. It almost never happens.Under budget law passed 39 years ago, House and Senate must approve 12 appropriations bills funding the federal gov’t by Sept. 30- last day of fiscal year. It almost never happens. In the past 17 years Congress did not meet its statutory deadline for approving the spending bills.In the past 17 years Congress did not meet its statutory deadline for approving the spending bills. This year’s confrontation is over the conservative Republican effort to defund the Affordable Care Act. On Friday, the House approved a stopgap bill to fund the government that would strip all funding for the law, large parts of which are set to take effect Oct. 1. The bill is considered to have no chance of passage in the Democratic- controlled Senate.This year’s confrontation is over the conservative Republican effort to defund the Affordable Care Act. On Friday, the House approved a stopgap bill to fund the government that would strip all funding for the law, large parts of which are set to take effect Oct. 1. The bill is considered to have no chance of passage in the Democratic- controlled Senate.

3. Is the government making preparations to close on Oct. 1? Yes. The Obama administration told agencies this week to begin planning for a partial shutdown. A memo issued to agencies said that “prudent management requires that agencies be prepared for the possibility of a lapse.”Yes. The Obama administration told agencies this week to begin planning for a partial shutdown. A memo issued to agencies said that “prudent management requires that agencies be prepared for the possibility of a lapse.” Federal managers must review which of their employees would be essential and required to come to work, and which would be nonessential and sent homeFederal managers must review which of their employees would be essential and required to come to work, and which would be nonessential and sent home A lapse in funding to keep the gov’t running could mean that “a number of employees may be temporarily furloughed.”A lapse in funding to keep the gov’t running could mean that “a number of employees may be temporarily furloughed.” http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/government-shutdown-agencies- stay-open-close/story?id=13309873http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/government-shutdown-agencies- stay-open-close/story?id=13309873http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/government-shutdown-agencies- stay-open-close/story?id=13309873http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/government-shutdown-agencies- stay-open-close/story?id=13309873

4. Does the entire government close In any shutdown, the gov’t does not stop functioning completely. By law, certain agencies must be allowed to operate with unsalaried employees.In any shutdown, the gov’t does not stop functioning completely. By law, certain agencies must be allowed to operate with unsalaried employees. According to the Office of Management and Budget, those are employees who:According to the Office of Management and Budget, those are employees who: Provide for national security, including conduct of foreign relations essential to the national security or the safety of life and property.Provide for national security, including conduct of foreign relations essential to the national security or the safety of life and property. Provide for benefit payments and the performance of obligations under no-year or multi-year contract or other funds remaining available for those purposes.Provide for benefit payments and the performance of obligations under no-year or multi-year contract or other funds remaining available for those purposes. Conduct essential activities to the extent that they protect life and property.Conduct essential activities to the extent that they protect life and property.

5. Does the entire government close cont.. Managers would still have to decide how the work is executed, such as who stays on the job and who doesn’t.Managers would still have to decide how the work is executed, such as who stays on the job and who doesn’t. The borders would still be patrolled. Veterans in hospitals would still receive care.The borders would still be patrolled. Veterans in hospitals would still receive care. Government operations not directly paid for by the Treasury, the largest of which is the U.S. Postal Service, also would continue.Government operations not directly paid for by the Treasury, the largest of which is the U.S. Postal Service, also would continue.

6. What happens to Americans who are expecting checks for Social Security and other benefits? These entitlement programs are considered mandatory spending, although payments could slow down if fewer federal employees must handle the work.These entitlement programs are considered mandatory spending, although payments could slow down if fewer federal employees must handle the work. In the shutdowns in 1995 and 1996, military veterans saw some health and financial services delayed. However, some services for veterans are funded by budgets that cover multiple years, which means the Treasury would have to pay for them.In the shutdowns in 1995 and 1996, military veterans saw some health and financial services delayed. However, some services for veterans are funded by budgets that cover multiple years, which means the Treasury would have to pay for them.

7. Has the government shut down before? The most recent shutdown was from mid-December 1995 to early January 1996. That one lasted 21 days.The most recent shutdown was from mid-December 1995 to early January 1996. That one lasted 21 days. Some say a shutdown now would have a bigger fallout than in 1995. Back then, several appropriations bills had been signed into law, including the two that funded the military, so most of the government stayed open. Many affected agencies operated at a reduced level during the three weeks by spending down savings from previous budgets.Some say a shutdown now would have a bigger fallout than in 1995. Back then, several appropriations bills had been signed into law, including the two that funded the military, so most of the government stayed open. Many affected agencies operated at a reduced level during the three weeks by spending down savings from previous budgets. But this time, no appropriations bills have been signed into law. That means the entire government would have no money to operate at midnight on Sept. 30.But this time, no appropriations bills have been signed into law. That means the entire government would have no money to operate at midnight on Sept. 30.

8. Do the president and Congress continue working? The president and political appointees are exempt from furloughs, although that not true for all White House staff. Lawmakers would continue working and would be responsible for deciding who on their staffs is essential.The president and political appointees are exempt from furloughs, although that not true for all White House staff. Lawmakers would continue working and would be responsible for deciding who on their staffs is essential. In past shutdown threats, the judiciary has said it could continue operating for possibly two weeks with some fees and funds from previous years. Afterward, judges would have to go home.In past shutdown threats, the judiciary has said it could continue operating for possibly two weeks with some fees and funds from previous years. Afterward, judges would have to go home.

9. How does a shutdown end? It’s up to Congress and the White House. No doubt there would be plenty of pressure from the public and workforce. There is no law setting a time limit.It’s up to Congress and the White House. No doubt there would be plenty of pressure from the public and workforce. There is no law setting a time limit.

10. 5 Real Impacts of a Government Shutdown Suspension of Approval of Applications for Small Business Loans Suspension of Approval of Applications for Small Business Loans These services would probably be suspended in a shutdown and depending on how long the last shutdown lasted, applications could get backlogged, meaning the impact could be felt even after the government reopens. These services would probably be suspended in a shutdown and depending on how long the last shutdown lasted, applications could get backlogged, meaning the impact could be felt even after the government reopens. Museums, Monuments and Parks Would Shut Down Museums, Monuments and Parks Would Shut Down Research Interrupted. Research Interrupted. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) would not be able to take on any new patients, or begin any new clinical trials. The good news on the medical front, Medicare will likely be funded even in the event of a shutdown. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) would not be able to take on any new patients, or begin any new clinical trials. The good news on the medical front, Medicare will likely be funded even in the event of a shutdown. Passport Services Suspended Passport Services Suspended DC Residents, Start Composting. DC Residents, Start Composting. Trash collection in the District of Columbia will probably be suspended temporarily if the government shuts down. This one would only affect D.C. residents — an unfortunate consequence of living in a district with a budget that must be approved by Congress. Trash collection in the District of Columbia will probably be suspended temporarily if the government shuts down. This one would only affect D.C. residents — an unfortunate consequence of living in a district with a budget that must be approved by Congress.