The U.S. government appears on its way toward a shutdown this weekend, a potentially dire consequence of a political stalemate over congressional spending — which would would disrupt many services, financially squeeze federal workers and shake confidence in the national economy.
And California, with its large number of federal employees, could feel the brunt of shutdown’s impact, though how much pain the Southland in particular, or the state and nation at large, will depend on how long the stalement lasts.
But at minimum, nonessential federal services could stop or be delayed. Federal contractors and public universities could see their funding dry up. Essential workers will keep doing their jobs, but without paychecks — including members of the U.S. Armed Forces. And if they don’t get paid, those workers won’t be able to spend as much, which could hurt the overall economy.
“Essentially, every day will get worse and there will be less and less services,” Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach, said in a Thursday afternoon, Sept. 28, interview. “You may not see all the services impacted on the first day — but by the second, third or fourth week, it’s going to be really, really hard.”
How we got here
The potential shutdown stems from Congress’ inability, to this point, to agree on federal spending.
Congress is required to pass 12 different spending bills to fund agencies across the government ahead of the start of the new federal fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1.
Unless Congress, which is severely divided along party lines, manages to come to a last minute consensus and pass bills ahead of that deadline, the government will effectively shutdown on Sunday just after midnight.
The Democratically controlled Senate has been working to win approval for a bipartisan stopgap measure — otherwise known as a continuing resolution — which would temporarily avert a shutdown.
It would maintain funding at current levels, with a $6 billion boost…
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