Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Designed by: Manoj Kumar
As the critical funding deadline approaches at the end of the month, the likelihood of a government shutdown in the United States grows, with lawmakers yet to reach an agreement on extending funding beyond this crucial point.
With the fiscal year ending on September 30 and the new fiscal year commencing on October 1, US Congress must pass legislation to renew funding before the deadline to avert a government shutdown.
A government shutdown is triggered if Congress fails to pass funding legislation by the midnight deadline on September 30. The failure to agree on a budget or a continuing resolution (CR) would lead to this scenario, impacting federal operations and causing uncertainty.
Since the potential shutdown coincides with a weekend, its full impact may not be felt until the workweek begins on Monday, affecting government operations, services, and federal workers' ability to perform their duties.
While two million military personnel will continue their duties, roughly half of the Pentagon's civilian employees (around 400,000) could be furloughed. This could affect the Department of Defence’s non-essential functions, potentially impacting military readiness and support services.
Certain critical operations, such as nuclear weapons maintenance, law enforcement activities carried out by agencies like the FBI and DEA, and ongoing military contracts, will persist despite the shutdown to ensure national security and continuity. However, these activities may be constrained by reduced staffing and resources.
Failure to provide funding for the new fiscal year would disrupt various government services, potentially leaving thousands of federal workers without pay. This could impact services such as public health, research, and more, leading to delays and service interruptions.
"Essential" federal workers, although required to continue working during a shutdown, will not receive their paychecks, affecting their financial stability and creating challenges for morale and workforce retention.
Many government agencies have not updated their shutdown plans, relying on preparations made in the past. This may result in operational challenges during the potential shutdown, as agencies may not be fully prepared to manage the situation effectively.
Many agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and others, are likely to furlough most of their staff, potentially delaying vital research, clinical trials, and public health initiatives. This could have far-reaching consequences for scientific progress and public health efforts.
The shutdown threat arises from a political divide, with House conservatives pushing for deep spending cuts and controversial policy additions, while Democrats and some Republicans oppose these measures. Efforts to pass a short-term funding extension face challenge, with House conservatives demanding major policy concessions unlikely to pass in the Senate. This political gridlock intensifies the uncertainty surrounding the situation and raises concerns about the government's ability to function effectively.