So the US Government Shut Down. What Now?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few days, and hey it’s midterms season so no judgement, you’ve probably seen and heard the panic about the government shutdown. It sounds scary, people on Twitter are ranting, and your parents are too busy complaining about your last tuition bill to let you know what’s going on. So take a study break and read a few basics about the shutdown.
What Is A Shut Down?
In the United States, a government shutdown is a situation or event where the government stops services that aren’t considered essential. This shutdown is a partial shutdown of services, and is considered similar to a lock out in the private sector. This is not the first time that the government has been shut down. About 800,000 of the government’s 2.1 million employees will be temporarily furloughed or sent home from work. There have been 18 shut downs since 1976, but the first since 1995. Most shutdowns last only a few days, the longest was in 1995 and lasted a full 21 days.
What Causes a Shut Down?
Under the United States Constitution, Congress has to pass laws through the House of Representatives and the Senate to spend money and create budgets. This means that the majority and minority parties, Democrats and Republicans in the modern era, must agree on a spending bill. In this case, the Republican controlled House of Representatives has passed a spending bill that maintains current federal spending levels but does not provide the funding to implement the Affordable Care Act, which we know as the health care bill. During this shutdown, Congress will still be open and will be working to resolve this issue to pass bills that influence spending.
What Does This Mean For Me?
Sorry, but no government doesn’t mean no laws are in effect. The armed forces, corrections and penal system, and police agencies are all still in effect. You still have to pay your taxes, go to federally funded schools, and report for duty if you are a federal employee unless you have been furloughed (half day! woo!).
If you’re looking to purchase health care exchanges through the Affordable Care Act (and if you don’t have health care, definitely look into it!) you are still able to do so. The state-run exchanges still opened on Tuesday as scheduled. Like Social Security, Medicaid, and other entitlements, the Affordable Care Act is permanent and not subject to annual funding by Congress so it is unaffected by the shutdown.
If you or your family implement unemployment benefits, food stamps through SNAP, or state funding WIC, your benefits are all still available.
Want to know more? Check out:
66 Questions and Answers About The Shutdown- http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/09/29/questions-and-answers-about-the-shutdown/2888419/
Government Shutdown Facts: How Will It Effect You-http://www.opposingviews.com/i/toppolitics/government-shutdown-facts-how-will-it-affect-you
10 Things To Know About The US Shutdown- http://profit.ndtv.com/news/cheat-sheet/article-10-things-to-know-about-the-us-government-shutdown-327870