possible shutdown

[pumpkin]

Just curious as to what people's thoughts are on this.

I know my agency hasn't mentioned it yet but I have a friend who was told last week that if there is a shutdown they will be furloughed.

[MrsAxilla]

Not very agency will be affected. Something like 75% have already been funded through CRs.

[candreco]

I'm definitely curious how this shakes out after that insane meeting last week, and that fact that it's right before Christmas. The optics of furloughing government workers instead of the kind-of traditional extra leave on a Monday Christmas Eve would be bad for Trump after he was so insistent that he's take responsibility for a shutdown. Can he actually hold his ground in the face of that kind of press?

I'm DoD, so since we're already funded I'm not hearing any of the usual chatter.

[MrsAxilla]

Dec 17, 2018 12:08:52 GMT -5 candreco said:

I'm definitely curious how this shakes out after that insane meeting last week, and that fact that it's right before Christmas. The optics of furloughing government workers instead of the kind-of traditional extra leave on a Monday Christmas Eve would be bad for Trump after he was so insistent that he's take responsibility for a shutdown. Can he actually hold his ground in the face of that kind of press?

I'm DoD, so since we're already funded I'm not hearing any of the usual chatter.

I think a shutdown is inevitable. Congress isn’t even in session and many of them already went home.  And there’s no way those 40 Rs we kicked out of office are coming back for a vote.

[isabel]

Already time for this again, huh? I can't imagine how all you fed employees feel. This administration has done a number on me and I don't have to worry about whether or not I'll be able to go to work and get paid.

[audette]

DH will be furloughed (also part of the terrible, horrible, no good week).

We are currently making two plans for Christmas, one in town alone (he has no vacation to take any time off around the holiday), in case of no shutdown. And one out of town with friends, in case there is a shutdown. Out of town, but close enough to scramble back when/if the shutdown ends over the holiday.

[MrsAxilla]

Dec 17, 2018 13:04:11 GMT -5 audette said:

DH will be furloughed (also part of the terrible, horrible, no good week).

We are currently making two plans for Christmas, one in town alone (he has no vacation to take any time off around the holiday), in case of no shutdown. And one out of town with friends, in case there is a shutdown. Out of town, but close enough to scramble back when/if the shutdown ends over the holiday.

We have two plans, too, but opposite.  DH is a manager so if there’s a shut down he actually has to work Monday -collecting computers and keys and badges and whatnot.  At least that’s what happened last time.  He hasn’t had any guidance yet.

[katieinthecity]

Pretty sure it's going to happen. 45 almost can't NOT have a shutdown given his commentary with Pelosi and Schumer.

[pumpkin]

Dec 17, 2018 12:04:40 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Not very agency will be affected. Something like 75% have already been funded through CRs.

Good point; is there a good list somewhere of the agencies that have been funded?

[fuckyourcouch]

We were told last week to expect it, and probably for an extended time.

I am exempt but it’s still terrible.

[downtoearth]

CNN had this,

But according to a fact sheet released by the Democratic staff of the Senate Appropriations Committee, more than 420,000 government workers are expected to work without pay if a partial shutdown occurs, including more than 41,000 federal law enforcement and correctional officers.

The fact sheet, which outlines the projected impacts of a shutdown, estimates that the vast majority of employees at the Department of Homeland Security would be among those required to work without pay during a shutdown, including tens of thousands of Customs and Border Protection agents and customs officers.

More than 380,000 federal employees would be placed on furlough, according to the fact sheet, including the majority of the staff at NASA, the National Park Service and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

An administration official told CNN that "If a lapse in appropriations were to take place, a majority of DHS activities would continue. For instance, those protecting our borders with the Customs and Border Patrol will continue to do so."

The administration official said, "Additionally, activities that are supported by multi-year funding, such as FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, will continue operations," referring to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

But I can't find the fact sheet that the Dems put together with info on funding. www.cnn.com/2018/12/13/politics/government-shutdown-what-to-expect/index.html

[Ramz-ee]

Dec 17, 2018 13:35:00 GMT -5 fuckyourcouch said:

We were told last week to expect it, and probably for an extended time.

I am exempt but it’s still terrible.

Seriously? We are not funded and have not heard this. That doesn't mean I don't believe it to be the case but I was hoping he would cave.

[eclaires]

No chatter at the lab so far - usually we get an initial shutdown heads up with the usual - we can operate for awhile during a shutdown. Then a few days into a shutdown, we get a okay if this lasts past X date we will have to shut down. All of my H’s projects are funded with the money on hand but the lab will still shut down once their overhead money is gone.

[audette]

Dec 17, 2018 13:11:16 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Dec 17, 2018 13:04:11 GMT -5 audette said:

DH will be furloughed (also part of the terrible, horrible, no good week).

We are currently making two plans for Christmas, one in town alone (he has no vacation to take any time off around the holiday), in case of no shutdown. And one out of town with friends, in case there is a shutdown. Out of town, but close enough to scramble back when/if the shutdown ends over the holiday.

We have two plans, too, but opposite.  DH is a manager so if there’s a shut down he actually has to work Monday -collecting computers and keys and badges and whatnot.  At least that’s what happened last time.  He hasn’t had any guidance yet.

Huh.  Well, dang.  Maybe we have to be in town for Monday if there is a shutdown, simply so DH can hand in his access badge?  That bites. 

(also, it really sucks that your DH has holiday time off planned, but the shutdown may interrupt that...)

[bowies]

We’re in a weird situation where we are funded but our facility is not. No idea what is going to happen. I have also heard that it is likely to last until the new Congress is seated, and even then it could continue.

[seeyalater52]

I'm definitely assuming it's going to go to a shutdown. Sorry feds, it sucks.

[downtoearth]

Dec 17, 2018 14:10:32 GMT -5 audette said:

Dec 17, 2018 13:11:16 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

We have two plans, too, but opposite.  DH is a manager so if there’s a shut down he actually has to work Monday -collecting computers and keys and badges and whatnot.  At least that’s what happened last time.  He hasn’t had any guidance yet.

Huh.  Well, dang.  Maybe we have to be in town for Monday if there is a shutdown, simply so DH can hand in his access badge?  That bites. 

(also, it really sucks that your DH has holiday time off planned, but the shutdown may interrupt that...)

Wait, if they are keeping security and such staff on during the shutdown, then why can't the badges just be deactivated and then reactivated in the security/IT system? Why do you have to physically hand it in? Just wondering since it seems really inefficient to have non-essential employees commute in while on planned vacation or furlough to give in just a badge.

[tacoflavoredkisses]

Dec 17, 2018 13:35:00 GMT -5 fuckyourcouch said:

We were told last week to expect it, and probably for an extended time.

I am exempt but it’s still terrible.

My H is a fed and usually shrugs off talk of shutdowns. This time, though, he’s convinced it’ll be for awhile.

[melissa]

My agency is funded so I'm not hearing much information right now. I feel for those who do not have funding.

[supertrooper1]

I work for an agency that is not funded yet. There hasn't been talk from management about the furlough, but we are essential and have to show up. It drives me nuts that my paycheck is always delayed during the shutdowns.

My personal opinion is that congress will do another CR through the first week of January because they will want to take the holidays off.

[msmerymac]

Dec 17, 2018 14:09:56 GMT -5 eclaires said:

No chatter at the lab so far - usually we get an initial shutdown heads up with the usual - we can operate for awhile during a shutdown. Then a few days into a shutdown, we get a okay if this lasts past X date we will have to shut down. All of my H’s projects are funded with the money on hand but the lab will still shut down once their overhead money is gone.

Oh damn, this seems crazy. I didn't even think of the labs. One of my H's good friends and his wife work at Los Alamos and I feel like maybe there are projects going on that you shouldn't just leave sitting there for weeks on end?! 

Said friend's wife has a higher security clearance than he does and he doesn't even know the extent of what research she does. 

[MrsAxilla]

Dec 17, 2018 14:44:27 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

Dec 17, 2018 14:10:32 GMT -5 audette said:

Huh.  Well, dang.  Maybe we have to be in town for Monday if there is a shutdown, simply so DH can hand in his access badge?  That bites. 

(also, it really sucks that your DH has holiday time off planned, but the shutdown may interrupt that...)

Wait, if they are keeping security and such staff on during the shutdown, then why can't the badges just be deactivated and then reactivated in the security/IT system? Why do you have to physically hand it in? Just wondering since it seems really inefficient to have non-essential employees commute in while on planned vacation or furlough to give in just a badge.

No, being furloughed is like being laid off. They collect all the things and lock you out of the building.

DH says he's been told more info will be available Thursday. Awesome. He's hoping he can close up Friday, but lots of people have leave planned (some are already gone) so it's a shit show, for sure.

[bowies]

Dec 17, 2018 15:39:49 GMT -5 supertrooper1 said:

I work for an agency that is not funded yet. There hasn't been talk from management about the furlough, but we are essential and have to show up. It drives me nuts that my paycheck is always delayed during the shutdowns.

My personal opinion is that congress will do another CR through the first week of January because they will want to take the holidays off.

Congress has already left.

[downtoearth]

Dec 17, 2018 16:56:08 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Dec 17, 2018 14:44:27 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

Wait, if they are keeping security and such staff on during the shutdown, then why can't the badges just be deactivated and then reactivated in the security/IT system? Why do you have to physically hand it in? Just wondering since it seems really inefficient to have non-essential employees commute in while on planned vacation or furlough to give in just a badge.

No, being furloughed is like being laid off. They collect all the things and lock you out of the building.

DH says he's been told more info will be available Thursday. Awesome. He's hoping he can close up Friday, but lots of people have leave planned (some are already gone) so it's a shit show, for sure.

This is the worst. I can't like, but thanks for the info.

[eclaires]

Dec 17, 2018 15:55:47 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Dec 17, 2018 14:09:56 GMT -5 eclaires said:

No chatter at the lab so far - usually we get an initial shutdown heads up with the usual - we can operate for awhile during a shutdown. Then a few days into a shutdown, we get a okay if this lasts past X date we will have to shut down. All of my H’s projects are funded with the money on hand but the lab will still shut down once their overhead money is gone.

Oh damn, this seems crazy. I didn't even think of the labs. One of my H's good friends and his wife work at Los Alamos and I feel like maybe there are projects going on that you shouldn't just leave sitting there for weeks on end?! 

Said friend's wife has a higher security clearance than he does and he doesn't even know the extent of what research she does. 

I know here there’s a difference between what is run out of Y-12 and what is at the lab. But even for non classified stuff shutting down research is basically lighting money on fire because most projects are long term data collecting.

[seeyalater52]

Dec 17, 2018 17:12:39 GMT -5 bowies said:

Dec 17, 2018 15:39:49 GMT -5 supertrooper1 said:

I work for an agency that is not funded yet. There hasn't been talk from management about the furlough, but we are essential and have to show up. It drives me nuts that my paycheck is always delayed during the shutdowns.

My personal opinion is that congress will do another CR through the first week of January because they will want to take the holidays off.

Congress has already left.

They are coming back on the 19th so there will be a very short window for action.

[MrsAxilla]

Dec 17, 2018 21:43:31 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Dec 17, 2018 17:12:39 GMT -5 bowies said:

Congress has already left.

They are coming back on the 19th so there will be a very short window for action.

Good!  I’ll call mike Fucking Coffman.  It theoretically sounds nice for DH to have “extra” time off, but he took a closer look at the calendar and because of the way pay periods fall, he likely won’t get his next paycheck if they shut down.  So now we’re rethinking Xmas altogether

[karinothing]

We are funded ...but the agency that handles our paychecks is not. I don't think anyone really knows how it will effect us.

[winecat]

Between the impending shutdown and the stock market, I feel like I need to breathe into a paper bag.

I hope it's not too bad for the Fed employees and the rippling impact.

[cinderbella]

Gah.

I left the VA back in October and feel so good about the move even though most people think I was/am insane for it. This perpetual cycle of looming shutdowns is exhausting.