Suspending US Government Work: What It Means

Фото: Depositphotos

On the night of January 19-20 in the United States, the government officially suspended work (“shutdown”), which led to a temporary cessation of funding for government agencies.

According to Air force, the upper house of the US Congress could not reach an agreement and get the necessary 60 votes to approve the government financing bill. Republicans, who have a small majority in the upper house of Congress, were able to collect only 50 votes (49 legislators voted against).

Democrats have taken a categorical position that the US administration should continue a number of programs in the budget for the 2018 year. First of all, we are talking about the so-called DACA program, which allows people who have arrived in America under illegal age to remain in the United States.

The inability of the government to agree on a draft law on financing has led to an almost complete cessation of financing of state structures. This could threaten the country with billions in losses, even if it lasts for several days. Civil servants will have to go on unpaid leave.

On Monday, January 22, government-funded institutions, including museums and national parks, may be closed. Shut down the Center for the Control of Disease Control, the tax service and some others, will not come to the service of civil servants of the US Department of Defense.

Congress and post will continue to work. Federal and local courts have the right to use for the continuation of their activities funds received from the payment of fines and various fees.

The military, police, airport security officers, doctors, air traffic controllers, food safety inspectors and some others will continue to work.

Edition WTOP described in detail how government institutions will work in the near future:

State Department

Most of the processes in the state department will continue to work. Thus, the processing of passports and visas will not be suspended, since it is largely funded by fees paid by citizens.

Internal Revenue Service

45 500 employees of the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will not perform their duties. Tax officers will find themselves on forced vacation just when organizations are preparing to file tax returns and deal with new radical changes in tax legislation.

Republicans promised that next month millions of working Americans would get higher wages, as employers would withhold less taxes due to lower income tax.

But Marcus Owen, who for 10 years headed the department of philanthropy and political organizations at the IRS, says that wages will not increase if the government does not work for a long time.

Ministry of Health and Welfare

Half of the 80 000 ministry employees will go on vacation. The key programs of the ministry will continue to function, as they are not dependent on the annual funding plan approved. But stopping government work can critically affect HHS programs, including the program to fight the flu.

The work will continue to be Medicare and Medicaid.

State authorities will also continue to receive payments for the children's medical insurance program. However, long-term funding for the program may end soon if the government does not renew subsidies.

The shutdown of the government will also affect the work of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which will not be able to support the annual program to combat the seasonal flu virus. With the current severe outbreak in the US, the center will not be able to respond quickly to new cases of illness.

Transport Department

More than half - 34 600 - transport management staff will continue to work. Most of those who continue to work are concentrated in the Federal Aviation Administration, which controls the national air traffic system.

Aviation monitors, railway and pipeline safety inspectors will also continue their work.

The shutdown of the government will affect new transport projects. They will be stopped: certification of new aircraft, processing of grants for the construction of airports, training of dispatchers, issuance of pilot licenses.

internal affairs department

National parks will work, which was not the last government stop in 2013.

A spokeswoman for the department, Heather Swift, said that the American public, especially veterans coming to the US capital, should have the opportunity to visit memorable places and open parks. According to her, public roads will also be open.

Department of National Security

Nearly 90% of national security department employees are considered important and will continue to perform their duties during government interruption.

This means that the majority of customs, border guard and transport security officers will remain at work.

78% of employees will remain in the immigration and customs control service.

Military department

The US military will continue to carry out military missions around the world, including in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. The military will continue to work, despite not receiving a salary until the government approves and resumes funding.

“We do a lot of intelligence operations around the world, and they cost money. Most likely this work will be suspended. Reserve force training will also stop,” said US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

The last time the suspension of government work occurred in the US in 2013 year and continued for 16 days. Then about 850 thousands of employees did not work. Damage from the "Shatdaun" amounted to $ 2 billion.

US President Trump responded to what happened in Twitter, calling the "shatdaun" "a gift from the Democrats."

“Today is the year of my presidency, and the Democrats wanted to give me a good gift. #DemocratShutdown“,” wrote the current US President.

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