Congress returns after Labor Day. With it, Americans’ fears of a government shutdown crisis
The looming possibility of a federal government shutdown is causing considerable concern among Americans, who fear the potential consequences of this crisis. As Congress prepares to reconvene after Labor Day, citizens like Ericka Goff, a single mother from Columbus, Ohio, worry about the impact this could have on their lives. This article will discuss the upcoming return of Congress, the fears harbored by Americans regarding a government shutdown, and the implications it could have on various aspects of society.
Struggling Families Brace for Potential Budget Impasse
Ericka Goff, a receptionist and a single mother of three from Columbus, Ohio, relies on the $600 monthly government child care assistance to make ends meet. Unfortunately, this funding is slated to expire at the end of September unless Congress takes immediate action to extend it. Goff, among many others, cannot afford child care without this financial aid, which would greatly impact her ability to work and support her family. Consequently, Americans like Goff are left questioning their future prospects under the threat of a government shutdown.
Mounting Anxiety Over Shutdown Risks
A recent poll conducted by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation revealed that seven out of ten voters surveyed expressed concerns about the upcoming government shutdown possibility. The main reason for this unease centers around Congress’s inability to reach a new budget agreement before the fiscal year concludes on September 30. With the impending threat, anxiety levels rise, as citizens contemplate the potential consequences and disruptions that may arise from a prolonged shutdown.
Ramifications of a Government Shutdown
A government shutdown can have far-reaching effects on American citizens, as non-essential federal agencies would suspend operations. Although critical services like mail delivery and Social Security payments would continue, federal employees would face furloughs, national parks could be closed, air travel may experience delays, and important programs such as food assistance benefits might encounter processing delays. Given these potential consequences, nearly eighty percent of voters strongly believe a government shutdown must be avoided, as it not only harms the economy but also distracts from larger fiscal challenges faced by the nation.
Calls for Bipartisan Cooperation
Overwhelmingly, the poll reflects a bipartisan desire to prevent a government shutdown. Ninety-one percent of Democrats and eighty-nine percent of Republicans expressed the urgency for lawmakers from both parties to collaborate in averting this crisis. Additionally, the survey showed increasing support among both parties for the establishment of a bipartisan commission to address the national debt through comprehensive reforms. With lawmakers urged to prioritize real solutions to the nation’s fiscal challenges, the potential negative impacts of a government shutdown can be mitigated.
Another government shutdown?
What Congress is saying about the latest funding fight
In Washington, time is running out for Congress to avoid a shutdown. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is struggling to get some conservative lawmakers to support a short-term measure that would temporarily fund the government at current levels beyond the Sept. 30 deadline and avert a shutdown.
A group of House conservatives known as the Freedom Caucus has issued a list of demands that it wants included in a short-term funding bill, including initiatives to stop the Justice Department and FBI from conducting what the group calls political “witch hunts” and opposition to “blank check” funding to Ukraine.
Freedom Caucus members are threatening to withhold their support for a short-term funding measure unless McCarthy meets their demands, which are strongly opposed by Democrats. Republicans hold just a five-seat majority in the House, which gives McCarthy little wiggle room to get a short-term funding bill passed and sent to the Senate.
Dire Consequences for Low-Income Americans
Jennifer Wells, director of economic justice for Community Change, an organization advocating for low-income individuals, highlights the devastating repercussions a government shutdown could have on vulnerable communities. Specifically, Wells emphasizes the imminent termination of child care funding provided by the American Rescue Plan, a COVID relief package passed earlier this year. This funding, due to end on September 30, has been instrumental in supporting child care centers during the pandemic. The potential loss of this assistance would not only affect millions of children and families but also lead to the closure of thousands of child care programs nationwide, exacerbating economic hardships faced by low-income households.
Perils for Industries and Economic Stability
Industries such as Alaska’s fishing industry are closely monitoring the budget discussions, fearing the repercussions of a government shutdown. The approval of federal fishing quotas, critical for their operations, could be delayed if a shutdown occurs. Alaska faced similar challenges during the previous 35-day government shutdown in late 2018. The disruption caused significant delays in the approval of fishing boat licenses and other necessary paperwork. Members of the fishing community stress the potential income loss if another shutdown occurs, which would further compound the struggles already experienced due to depressed fish prices.
Urgent Need for Congressional Action
Advocates like Hannah Heimbuch, a commercial salmon fisherman and fisheries policy advocate, emphasize the urgency for Congress to pass a budget and avert a government shutdown. Failing to do so would mean subjecting families, the economy, and particularly working families, women, and children, to unnecessary chaos. The looming threat of a shutdown only serves to benefit corporations while regular Americans suffer the consequences. It is essential for Congress to fulfill its responsibilities and prioritize the welfare of its citizens.