Government Shutdown In 2011 Might Derive From Deadlocked Congress

The spending budget that controls when and where federal money goes will expire on March 4. Rumors are that the federal government might simply shut down. A government shutdown 2011 is a possibility, but lawmakers are working to prevent the shutdown.

A 2011 federal government shutdown

Facing the possibility of a government shutdown in 2011, it is important to understand what would take place. In 1998, a full government shut down occurred. Almost everything was shut down that was government-run. There have been other federal government shutdowns since 1998, however they were very short-term, partial shutdowns that impacted portions of the federal government, but not the entire thing. Every little thing from Social Security to Veteran’s Affairs would completely stop with a full government shutdown this year. There was no longer access to national parks. Passport agencies were not working anymore while federal employees went unpaid. The USPS and other self-funding agencies will likely stay open. Medical facilities would also continue to operate but with a skeleton crew.

How a federal government shutdown occurs

The president has to sign a federal budget for it to pass. Congresses both have to vote for it as well. All government agencies have to shut down without a federal budget since the funds accessible won’t be known. As in 1998, Congressional debates over spending cuts are holding back the passage of a budget.

A 2011 federal government shutdown would mean many things

There would be lots of difficulties if the federal government shut down in 2011. It would mean even more pressure for congress. A budget needs to get passed. An agreement would have to be made between Republicans and Democrats. In 1998, the government shutdown preceded a period of balanced budget spending that created a surplus of federal money — the first and only time that has occurred in the last 15 years.

Information from

CNN

politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/21/house-republicans-and-senate-democrats-in-talks-to-avoid-government-shutdown/#more-147736

Washington Monthly

washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_02/028070.php