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The United States is currently facing a major political crisis. After nearly seven years, the threat of a government shutdown looms. This situation occurs when Congress fails to pass a bill necessary to fund government expenses.
Something similar happened this time. The Republican Party introduced a temporary bill to continue government spending for seven weeks, requiring 60 votes in favor. However, the vote received only 55, and the bill was defeated. This means that if a solution isn’t found in time, many government departments will cease to function after midnight.
Why the Conflict
American politics is currently divided. On one side is Donald Trump’s Republican Party, which claims that government operations should continue without any conditions and that health plans should be excluded from the funding bill. On the other side is the Democratic Party, which believes that it will not approve the bill unless the tax exemption on health insurance, i.e., benefits under Obamacare, are increased. They argue that ending this benefit will increase the cost of treatment and medicines for millions of people, creating hardship for poor families.
Statements from both parties
Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has clearly stated that the Republican Party is stubborn and unwilling to negotiate. He said that the Republican Party wants to pass the bill unilaterally and is trying to suppress the opposition’s views. Republican leader John Thune, on the other hand, alleges that Democrats are pushing the country toward a shutdown to exert political pressure. He says that the bill was completely fair and non-political, but was dropped solely for political reasons.
Impact of a Shutdown
If the government shuts down, it will impact the entire country. Employees in many government offices will be placed on leave, and their salaries may be withheld. For example, the Agriculture Department will furlough nearly half of its employees. Approximately 87% of the Education Department’s staff will be suspended, halting new scholarships and grants. Courts will also hear only urgent matters, while all other cases will be postponed.
Which Services Will Continue During the Shutdown
During every shutdown, it is determined which services are essential and which can be suspended. This time, essential work will continue. NASA’s space missions will not be disrupted. Border security and immigration will continue. Safety inspections of food items like meat and poultry will also continue. Emergency services like firefighting or health emergencies will remain unaffected. This means the public will not be completely left in the dark, but their lives will certainly be affected.
Impact on the Common Citizen
The shutdown has the greatest impact on ordinary American citizens. For example, if a student wants financial aid from the Department of Education, they will have to wait. A citizen seeking a new passport may face delays. A minor court case pending may have its hearing postponed. Even tourist destinations like national parks will be affected. The last time the parks were open, they faced significant security and sanitation problems. In some places, vandalism and chaos were even witnessed.
Concerns for Employees and States
The biggest concern for central government employees will be their salaries. They may be called back to work during the shutdown, but even after being called back, their salaries may be withheld. Later, when the government resumes, their withheld salaries are paid, but in the meantime, they face financial difficulties.
What will happen next?
The question now is what will happen next. Both parties are blaming each other, and neither is willing to budge. Democrats say they should negotiate health plans, while Republicans say they should let the government function first, and then discuss policy. If this conflict continues, government operations in the US will come to a standstill after midnight.
