For the first time in 17 years, the United States Government has shutdown due to missing the deadline on postponing a decision for the Obama health care law, which began in 2010. According to the Start Tribune 800,00 federal workers faced contemporary unpaid leave from work. Although air traffic control and military control will continue while the government is shut down. But national parks and most federal offices will be closed. Social security payment, mail delivery and border control will also stay up and running. Before Tuesday more than 1 million others would be asked to go to work without pay, according to the Star Tribune.
Every year congress has to approve laws know as appropriations, provide money for federal agencies. Republicans have insisted they will not approve the stop gap measure unless democrats agree to block money for President Obama’s health care law. Democrats have refused to do that.
Passing money bill has been difficult for congress because. of the different opinions on how much money should be spent. This year, the problem got a lot worse, after House Republicans passes the budget plan that called for deep cuts in spending.
National parks, federal owned museums, such as the Smithsonian, and IRS call centers will be shut down. The workers associated with these jobs will not receive payment but after the shutdown ends it is most likely they will approve retroactive pay just as they did in the Clinton administration.
Economy wise, depending on the duration of the shut down the economic ripple will be small but will build with time, according to the Start Tribune. Both sides are waiting for the public opinion and then arrangements will be made.
“The government shut down is ridiculous,” Lisa O’Halloran, business teacher, said. Senior Julia Mason was “up all night reading articles about this. I don’t think this problem will be solved quickly,” Mason continued. “Both sides are too stubborn.”
“People will have to form their own opinions,” David Herring, history teacher, said. As opinions form, and we learn more, the only thing we can do is wait.
Madi Arends is the Editor-in-Chief Print for The Spartan Speaks
Pete Makarov is the Editor-in-Chief Online for The Spartan Speaks
