| As you may know, there have been growing concerns that the federal government will shut down. A full shutdown occurs when Congress does not pass any of the 12 appropriations bills, while a partial shutdown happens when some of the appropriations bills have been passed, but others have not. It is necessary, like any law, that the President sign the appropriated bills once passed by Congress. To return to regular order, all 12 appropriations bills would have to be passed prior to October 1, the beginning of the next fiscal year. Complete and timely appropriations for the federal government has not occurred since 1997. This year, Congress successfully passed, and the President signed, five of the twelve appropriations bills. The remaining bills had their funding extended until December 8, 2018, through, what is called, a Continuing Resolution. If we reach December 8th and Congress has not passed the remaining seven appropriations bills or another Continuing Resolution, then the government will go into a partial shutdown. The agencies and departments which are operating on a normal budget and will not be affected by a partial government shutdown are: The Department of Defense, the Department of Labor, the Department of Energy, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and Congress. For more information, visit my website at https://norman.house.gov/legislation/budget-and-appropriations-process.htm. Below you can find a graphic with links to information about each specific appropriations bill. While many services will be impacted by a shutdown, essential government functions will continue to operate. Activities that are related to national security; safety and order, like air traffic control and law enforcement; and medical care, like veterans' hospitals, are deemed essential activities and continue to operate, regardless of a government shutdown. However, many agencies will not receive funding during a shutdown. For example, the Department of Homeland Security will not be funded, meaning our border will be patrolled, but those agents will not be getting paid. TSA agents will be keeping our airports safe without pay, even though the Department of Transportation will not be receiving funding. Importantly, in the event of a government shutdown: · Medicare and Social Security checks will continue to be mailed; · Food stamps will continue to be distributed, and; · Mail will still be delivered. I have long been an advocate for a return to regular order, and the uncertainty and strife caused by nearing a government shutdown, further illustrate the need to fund the government each year, on time. Our system is truly broken, and we need to focus on fully debating each appropriations bill and providing responsible funding to our agencies before the end of the fiscal year. If you have thoughts or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at (202) 225-5501, or email me at RepRalph.Norman@mail.house.gov. | 
No comments:
Post a Comment