Government shutdown thread - 25th annual edition

[rubytue]

August just started, but the threats are already out there. And yes, I made up 25th. But I’m on year 22 and I only remember 1 year with all appropriation on Oct 1. 😂😭

www.brookings.edu/articles/what-is-a-government-shutdown-and-why-are-we-likely-to-have-another-one/

I’m trying to consider the source on this one, but I’m not sure how that affects my thinking on it. 

[Bernadine]

At least we have 3 paychecks in September to help get through the beginning of October? 😭

[rubytue]

So, apparently 25th wasn’t far off. The answer is 26 (unless it happened 2018-2023, but my recollection is a CR those years, too)

But since 1997, Congress has never passed more than a third of its regular appropriations bills on time, and usually has done considerably less than that: For instance, for six straight years (fiscal 2011 through 2016), not a single spending bill was passed by Oct. 1.

www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2018/01/16/congress-has-long-struggled-to-pass-spending-bills-on-time/

[lessel]

My spidey sense says there will be a shutdown this year but I have zero actual information to base that on.

At least they passed the bill a couple years back ensuring salary protections. But I imagine it will still be stressful during the shutdown given uncertainty about how long it will drag on.

[rubytue]

lessel, I admit I didn’t consider it until last night, but I’m with you now. I thought the debt ceiling deal had provisions on budget, but I guess they were just “we will cut spending” but not how.

[pumpkin]

I see this year being a mess with a shutdown likely. I know we get paid eventually, but it’s annoying when I have to work but don’t get paid because other people can’t be bothered to do their jobs.

In 14+ years I’ve never been furloughed, but there’s a 1st time for everything.

[1confused1]

Why are you guys feeling that this year is the year?

::me silently freaking out::

[rubytue]

Aug 4, 2023 18:57:56 GMT -5 1confused1 said:

Why are you guys feeling that this year is the year?

::me silently freaking out::

I feel they is less appetite to work things out when there isn’t an election looming a months later. And there are many rampant assholes who stand on principle (ie cant comprehend compromise). And the general feeling of the folks who are in congress but hate government and feel it’s their job to prove how government doesn’t work but refusing to do the work it takes. While also pissing on federal workers who are trying to do jobs. 

it just feel like 2013 (16 day shut down) again but even more blow hards who won’t do stuff. 

[pumpkin]

Aug 4, 2023 19:55:59 GMT -5 rubytue said:

Aug 4, 2023 18:57:56 GMT -5 1confused1 said:

Why are you guys feeling that this year is the year?

::me silently freaking out::

I feel they is less appetite to work things out when there isn’t an election looming a months later. And there are many rampant assholes who stand on principle (ie cant comprehend compromise). And the general feeling of the folks who are in congress but hate government and feel it’s their job to prove how government doesn’t work but refusing to do the work it takes. While also pissing on federal workers who are trying to do jobs. 

it just feel like 2013 (16 day shut down) again but even more blow hards who won’t do stuff. 

I completely agree with all of this, especially given how the debt ceiling played out this spring.

[rubytue]

The good news is I’ve started thinking about what I would do as a shutdown project this time. Like washing the car to bring on a rain, this should work to prevent it 😂😂

[pumpkin]

Aug 4, 2023 21:46:42 GMT -5 rubytue said:

The good news is I’ve started thinking about what I would do as a shutdown project this time. Like washing the car to bring on a rain, this should work to prevent it 😂😂

Good idea! Though having never been furloughed before it’s likely I won’t be this time either.

[rubytue]

Aug 4, 2023 22:01:59 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

Aug 4, 2023 21:46:42 GMT -5 rubytue said:

The good news is I’ve started thinking about what I would do as a shutdown project this time. Like washing the car to bring on a rain, this should work to prevent it 😂😂

Good idea! Though having never been furloughed before it’s likely I won’t be this time either.

In 2013, I spent two days a week helping a friend who needed assistance with life stuff (@@ related). And then, I finally gave up after 2 weeks and bought paint for my bathroom. And we went back before I could get the ladders out. 

2019, the day I passed my background check to substitute teach, we got called back. 

The long ones, I don’t plan ahead because it’s always day to day. And then I give into it and we go back. So maybe if I get my hopes up to start a project, it won’t happen. 

[curbsideprophet]

Rep Jeff Jackson thinks we could be headed for a shutdown. Video with more info in tweet.

As of today, we’re headed for a government shutdown.

The right-flank wants one, and it looks like Speaker McCarthy is going to give it to them.

[rubytue]

So, there is a relatively new thing (passed after the 2019 shutdown) that guarantees backpay. The reason we have a shutdown is the anti-deficiency act, where you can’t do things that cost money during a shut down (and other reasons). But… umm… errr…. My brain tried to get around the circular thing, and maybe we don’t actually shut down?

[candreco]

My command is hearing from our congressional liaisons is that odds are much better than recent years for a shut down. Front office is already telling people to start prepping- accelerating or delaying things so they aren't planned for Oct, and identifying excepted personnel for things that MUST happen in Oct.

[formerlyak]

Does anyone know how a shutdown would affect social security payments and retirement payments to veterans? That’s 2/3 of my mom’s monthly income and if that could be delayed with a shutdown, I want to prep her. But if that’s not the case, I don’t want to freak her out. We’ve had a rough year losing both my dad and my brother within six weeks of each other and she’s finally getting to a point where she has more happy days than sad days. I don’t want to stress her out unnecessarily.

[rubytue]

Aug 10, 2023 8:03:51 GMT -5 formerlyak said:

Does anyone know how a shutdown would affect social security payments and retirement payments to veterans? That’s 2/3 of my mom’s monthly income and if that could be delayed with a shutdown, I want to prep her. But if that’s not the case, I don’t want to freak her out. We’ve had a rough year losing both my dad and my brother within six weeks of each other and she’s finally getting to a point where she has more happy days than sad days. I don’t want to stress her out unnecessarily.

My understanding is they generally continue. But, dont rule out a possibility of not being on time.

here is something from I’m guessing the 2018/2019 shutdown (based on it not mentioning what happened then)
www.ljblegal.com/faqs/what-happens-to-social-security-disability-in-a-government-shutdown-.cfm

edit: this one addresses VA. Says they aren’t linked to current funding, so Ok. www.tuleylaw.com/veterans-disability-benefits-government-shutdown/

[formerlyak]

Aug 10, 2023 8:40:18 GMT -5 rubytue said:

Aug 10, 2023 8:03:51 GMT -5 formerlyak said:

Does anyone know how a shutdown would affect social security payments and retirement payments to veterans? That’s 2/3 of my mom’s monthly income and if that could be delayed with a shutdown, I want to prep her. But if that’s not the case, I don’t want to freak her out. We’ve had a rough year losing both my dad and my brother within six weeks of each other and she’s finally getting to a point where she has more happy days than sad days. I don’t want to stress her out unnecessarily.

My understanding is they generally continue. But, dont rule out a possibility of not being on time.

here is something from I’m guessing the 2018/2019 shutdown (based on it not mentioning what happened then)
www.ljblegal.com/faqs/what-happens-to-social-security-disability-in-a-government-shutdown-.cfm

edit: this one addresses VA. Says they aren’t linked to current funding, so Ok. www.tuleylaw.com/veterans-disability-benefits-government-shutdown/

Thank you. That second link explained it well.

[ssmjlm]

I'm mission essential, so I guess I'll just be working for free if it happens. Yay?

[chchchia]

I don't even take this crap seriously anymore. I know it is sooner or later gonna happen but I feel like it's a case of the boy who cried wolf. I got out of the military in 08 and went right into civil service and I swear they have done this every year since then. i'm over this fuckery.

[rubytue]

*yawn* talk of wanting a CR til December. www.govexec.com/management/2023/08/leaders-both-parties-agree-pursue-stopgap-avoid-shutdown/389467/

[pumpkin]

Aug 17, 2023 17:38:34 GMT -5 rubytue said:

*yawn* talk of wanting a CR til December. www.govexec.com/management/2023/08/leaders-both-parties-agree-pursue-stopgap-avoid-shutdown/389467/

Great! Just in time to not pay us during the holidays.

[rubytue]

pumpkin , oh there was something in here are McCarthy not wanting to deal with it at the holiday. 🙄

I just have so much 🙄 over this year after year. But, I am privileged enough that I can just 🙄 and not stress it too much. It’s my younger coworkers that don’t have my cynical view and savings that I super feel for. I kind of get the way my asshole boss use to be dismissive of questions about it. Because, we can’t control it. But he is still and asshole for dismissing his staff’s concerns.

edit, and I guess this is probably the attitude chchchia , was getting at. I mean, taking is seriously is important, making sure you have savings, etc. But yet, it is kind of boy who called wolf. Yet this year is looking more likely. I’m *NOT* trying to be chicken little here. But, please take it seriously enough to be prepared if you have to go a month without pay. We have two months of warning that it’s looking slightly more likely that the usual.

[rubytue]

Aug 17, 2023 17:57:45 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

Aug 17, 2023 17:38:34 GMT -5 rubytue said:

*yawn* talk of wanting a CR til December. www.govexec.com/management/2023/08/leaders-both-parties-agree-pursue-stopgap-avoid-shutdown/389467/

Great! Just in time to not pay us during the holidays.

McCarthy confirmed the plan on a call with House Republicans this week, according to reports, saying he would not allow the measure to expire just before the holidays. Such a timeline would surrender Republicans’ leverage to push for lower spending levels, he said, highlighting a key goal for his caucus.

[pumpkin]

Aug 17, 2023 18:03:11 GMT -5 rubytue said:

pumpkin , oh there was something in here are McCarthy not wanting to deal with it at the holiday. 🙄

I just have so much 🙄 over this year after year. But, I am privileged enough that I can just 🙄 and not stress it too much. It’s my younger coworkers that don’t have my cynical view and savings that I super feel for. I kind of get the way my asshole boss use to be dismissive of questions about it. Because, we can’t control it. But he is still and asshole for dismissing his staff’s concerns.

edit, and I guess this is probably the attitude chchchia, was getting at. I mean, taking is seriously is important, making sure you have savings, etc. But yet, it is kind of boy who called wolf. Yet this year is looking more likely. I’m trying to be chicken little here. But, please take it seriously enough to be prepared if you have to go a month without pay. We have two months of warning that it’s looking slightly more likely that the usual.

I completely agree with and understand everything you said. I use to stress about it, but now it just annoys me. 🤷‍♀️

The only benefit to me of December would be that I have scheduled leave and might be able to get a few “free” days and save some leave. Then again, I’ve never been furloughed so it would have to depend on how long it has been going on.

Will just be hanging out over here watching as things play out.

[rubytue]

Just your local neighborhood chicken little checking in as we come back from august recess.

thehill.com/homenews/house/4177888-house-conservatives-flirt-with-shutdown-so-be-it/

[ssmjlm]

I don't want to work for free!!!

I did remind staff about some protocols if a shutdown occurs and who needs to be deemed mission essential. All of our contracts are funded, someone has to be around for surveillance, Govt POC.

[pumpkin]

With the House only in session 11 days before the end of the FY, I’m not holding my breath.

At least we get paid 3 times in September before they put out pay on hold, but some of us still work? The whole thing is just so annoying, but I am expecting the GOP to dig in so we’ll see what happens.

[pumpkin]

Evidently our area director has been talking about a continuing resolution in meetings today, so we’ll see.

[melissa]

Just dropping this here.

Two Democrats in Congress are trying to put an end to government shutdowns once and for all. A new bicameral bill from Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) would kick in an automatic continuing resolution every Oct. 1, in the case that Congress doesn’t come to a full-year government spending agreement. Under a continuing resolution, agencies would see their funding temporarily set at the previous fiscal year’s levels. And the bill would keep that stopgap measure in place until Congress reaches a full-year agreement. In the meantime, the Senate would also be blocked from working on other legislation. The bill’s introduction comes just a few weeks ahead of Congress’ Sept. 30 deadline to reach a funding agreement for the government or otherwise face a possible shutdown. Kaine and Beyer said the goal of their legislation is to protect federal workers and maintain critical government services.
(End Shutdowns Act - Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.))
federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-newscast/2023/09/two-lawmakers-move-to-unalterably-slam-the-door-shut-on-government-shutdowns/