WASHINGTON: The United States is heading toward a government shutdown this weekend with no foreseeable way out of a deadlock in Congress over hardline...
A traffic barrier is seen front of the dome of the US Capitol as a government shut down looms in Washington DC on September 28, 2023. AFPPIX: The United States is heading toward a government shutdown this weekend with no foreseeable way out of a deadlock in Congress over hardline Republican calls for deep spending cuts.
Hundreds of thousands of federal employees would be furloughed without pay, while members of the military and other workers deemed to be essential would continue working without a paycheck. Once a funding deal is reached these restrictions would be lifted and all affected employees would be paid retroactively, according to the AFGE.In past shutdowns, this has meant that benefits checks have continued to be paid, while air traffic controllers, border patrol agents and hospital staff have remained on the job.
“While some funding lapses have ended very quickly, the political environment going into the deadline is more reminiscent of the situation preceding longer shutdowns in the past,“ they added. A shutdown could also have an indirect impact on the economy as federal workers without pay begin to curtail their spending.