You Know You're In Washington, DC When…
I'm sitting at a coffee shop in Dupont Circle and people are chatting about whether the federal government will shut down next week. Someone behind the counter says, "I don't watch the news. Can someone tell me what's going on?" Several "wifi hobos" (you know, the ones that sit at coffee shops for the wifi) add their opinion on what will happen. Everyone agrees that there's a 50 percent chance there will be a shutdown.
Recap of the Government Shutdown Showdown
Last week, the House passed this "Continuing Resolution":
- HJRes 59 The House's Continuing Resolution: would fund the government through Dec. 15 — but it also defunds Obamacare and would require the government to prioritize interest payments on the debt in the event of a shutdown. (Learn more about Continuing Resolutions.)
Now, the bill is being considered by the Senate. Senate Democrats want to strip out the Obamacare and interest payment provisions and send it back to the House. If they can do it, House Republicans will have to decide whether to accept those changes, or tweak it again.
Enter Senator Ted Cruz. Beginning at 2:41pm on Tuesday, Senator Cruz (R-Texas) took to the Senate floor to deliver a lengthy speech and announced his intention to "speak against Obamacare until I am no longer able to stand." (If it's technically not a filibuster because of the Senate's procedural rules, can it be called a "fauxlibuster"?) As of 9am this morning, Senator Cruz was still standing — and had even channeled Darth Vader. (Watch his "Mike Lee, I am your father" moment.)
House cancels their weekend. The uncertainty over how the week will proceed has already led the House to cancel its weekend, in case they must work on the spending bill before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.
The only things we know for certain is (1) the government will be forced to shut down if a spending bill isn't passed by Sept. 30; and (2) the Democrats don't like the House-passed resolution.
In Case the Government Shuts Down
The federal government has shut down 17 times since a new budgeting process was put into place in 1976. Both Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan dealt with six shutdowns each. The most recent shutdown came in 1996 — for three weeks! If there is a shutdown this time, it may mean millions of federal employees getting furloughed, national parks closing, and even delays to passports, visas and Social Security and Medicare payments. Servicemembers may not get paid in time either — and veterans may not get their benefits. (Letter to President from House Members.) A federal government shutdown may also mean a District of Columbia government shutdown. (Letter from Del. Eleanor Norton (D-DC).) Ironically, a shutdown wouldn't necessarily shut down Obamacare.
Already, several bills have been introduced in the event the government shuts down. If you're part of the 50 percent of people at this coffee shop who think the government might shut down, then it's a good time to share your views on POPVOX and alert your friends and networks.
- S 1543 A bill to appropriate such funds as may be necessary to ensure that members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components thereof, and supporting civilian and contractor personnel continue to receive pay and allowances for active service performed when a funding gap caused by the failure to enact interim or full-year appropriations for the Armed Forces occurs, which results in the furlough of non-emergency personnel and the curtailment of Government activities and services. Just introduced!
- S 1541 Military Pay Protection Act: to appropriate such funds as may be necessary to ensure that members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components thereof, and supporting civilian and contractor personnel continue to receive pay and allowances for active service performed when a Governmentwide shutdown occurs. Just introduced!
- HR 3152 Pay Our Veterans and Seniors First Act: To prohibit Members of Congress, the President, the Vice President, and the head of any Executive department from receiving pay for any period in which there is a Government shutdown and to provide for payments to seniors, military and veterans during a Government shutdown. Just introduced!
- HR 3166 A bill to appropriate such funds as may be necessary to ensure certain important functions of the Government continue during a Governmentwide shutdown. Just introduced!
- HR 3160 Government Shutdown Fairness Act: to reduce the annual rate of pay of Members of Congress if a Government shutdown occurs during a year. Just introduced!
- HR 3100 DC Government Shutdown Avoidance Act: To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to make local funds of the District of Columbia available for use by the District during any portion of a fiscal year in which no Federal law appropriating local funds for the fiscal year is in effect, at the rates of operation provided under the local budget act for the fiscal year. Just introduced!
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.
