Hours before the potential start of a federal government shutdown, President-elect Donald Trump on Friday redoubled his efforts, insisting that any deal would include a debt ceiling augment and, if not, the shutdown would “start now.”
On Thursday, the House flatly rejected the proposal Trump fresh business financing and suspension plan debt ceilingbecause Democrats and dozens of Republicans refused to heed his emergency demands.
In a hastily called evening vote punctuated by outbursts of anger over the crisis it created, lawmakers failed to meet the two-thirds threshold required for passage.
The result was a huge defeat for Trump and his billionaire ally, Elon Muskwho fumed over House Speaker Mike Johnson’s bipartisan compromise that Republicans and Democrats reached earlier to avert a government shutdown over Christmas.
It’s a glimpse of the turmoil to come as Trump returns to the White House with Republican control of the House and Senate. During his first term, Trump led Republicans into the House the longest government shutdown in history over Christmas 2018 and interrupted the 2020 holidays by rejecting a bipartisan pandemic aid bill and forcing a change to it.
Here’s what you need to know about the government shutdown.
Traditionally, 12 annual appropriations bills determine funding for the various United States government agencies. These bills are combined into one “omnibus” package in which they are approved by one vote.
Some existing spending plans were set to expire on September 30, at the end of the government’s fiscal year. The interim agreement then reached extended funding until December 20.
When a shutdown occurs, the government is unable to spend the money – with some exceptions – which means federal employees across the country are expected to work without pay until the shutdown ends or they go on leave. In turn, crucial services will continue to operate, but resources will be significantly strained.
Government shutdowns affect hundreds of thousands of federal workers. Those who are expected to work will only be paid once the downtime ends. Employees are guaranteed arrears of wages. Many employees are also at risk of being furloughed and would therefore not be allowed to work (but would also receive back pay thanks to legislation passed in 2019).
Some of the main groups of workers who may be influence include lively military members, federal law enforcement, federal transportation workers (such as air traffic controllers and TSA agents(but not SEPTA employees who are not federal employees), national park employees, scientific researchers, and certain health care providers.
What will happen to Social Security, Medicare, and veterans benefits during the government shutdown?
Pension and disability benefit programs, including veterans’ benefits, would continue during the government shutdown because these funds are allocated separately from the established budget. Due to the closure, there may be some service delays.
The current funding agreement expires on Friday evening, at which time Congress should adjourn for the summer break. If an agreement is not reached by midnight Friday, the shutdown will take place at 12:01 a.m. Saturday and the government will have to furlough thousands of federal workers and cut federal services over the holiday season.
The longest and most recent government shutdown lasted 34 days, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. It was the second government shutdown to occur during Trump’s presidency. The work stoppage ended after major delays at East Coast airports when unpaid air traffic controllers stopped showing up for work.
Lawmakers narrowly avoided a federal government shutdown last year when the House and Senate agreed to a short-term funding deal that Biden signed minutes before the deadline. In September, congressional leaders announced a short-term spending agreement that would fund federal agencies for about three months, bypassing a potential partial government shutdown.
In Philadelphia, the recent government shutdown led to the closure of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center.
Last year, the U.S. Department of the Interior said all National Park Service locations would close if a government shutdown took effect that affected Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and Valley Forge. At press time, the agency had not released guidance for this year.
The city’s Immigration Court was closed during the 2018-2019 suspension and only accepted emergency applications for people already in detention.
Most eastern Pennsylvania law enforcement officers continued to work without pay, but some employees deemed nonessential were temporarily placed on furlough. Essential Philadelphia International Airport employees continued to work without pay, but resources were strained and some air traffic controllers were placed on momentary leave.
Workers at shelters that serve vulnerable populations and rely on federal funds are worried about when payments will arrive.
Congress continues to debate and try to negotiate an agreement. With leaders at an impasse and dozens of Republicans disagreeing with Trump, Congress has no clear path forward and a partial shutdown may be imminent, disrupting the busy holiday travel season.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
