The US government will attempt to prevent a shutdown on Friday, which will take effect if the Senate fails to pass the continuing resolution for funding.
The bill which sailed through the Congress faces a tough battle in the Senate with the GOP needing at least eight Democrat votes.
Democrats oppose the bill, arguing that it grants President Donald Trump excessive control over spending decisions. They face a choice between blocking it or allowing a government funding lapse.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, however, made it clear on Thursday that he will not allow a government shutdown. “While the CR still is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse,” Schumer said.
What is the US government shutdown?
In US, a government shutdown occurs when a funding gap forces the partial or full closure of federal agencies and operations.
Government shutdowns typically happen when lawmakers fail to agree on budget allocations before the current funding cycle expires.
The US government is at risk of a shutdown starting at 11.59 pm on Friday (local time) unless Congress can reach an agreement on funding.
If an agreement isn’t reached by then, federal employees could be furloughed without pay, though some will still be required to work. Federal contractors, however, will not be obligated to work and are not assured back pay for the duration of the shutdown, according to ABC news.
Certain “mandatory” programs will continue operating. Social Security and Medicare payments will still be distributed, as they are classified as mandatory spending.
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) warned that a government shutdown would give the president greater control over federal operations. “If you shut down the government, the president is the person who decides what is essential,” he said, as quoted by the New York Post. “He decides what part of the government stays open, so you are actually giving him even more power,” he added.
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