Once again the US government has shut down making it the second shutdown for the Trump administration in weeks. As usual, it can prove quite a problem for thousands of non-essential federal workers who will be forced on unpaid leave until a decision in Congress is reached.
Ths shutdown comes in the wake of the big budget deal where senators adjourned the chamber after Kentucky Senator Paul Rand could not be placated. As of now, the shutdown has officially begun, CNN reported.
The biggest problem of the US Government Shutdown is the negative effect it will have on healthcare services as hundreds of healthcare workers are confused about whether they have to report to work or not and whether they will get paid too.
Why did the government shutdown?
Spending has become a serious bone of contention in the US Senate where today’s shutdown is the result of the big budget deal. But Paul Rand, also a Republican is concerned and angered over the deficit. He blasted the Senate saying that it was a big definition of hypocrisy. When the house expressed concern over Obama’s deficits and now want to bypass their own, that is hypocrisy and nothing else, according to him. Senator Paul delayed passage of the bill for hours leading to the shutdown.
Speaking in an hour-long speech Rand said "What you're seeing is recklessness trying to be passed off as bipartisanship. ...[Leadership is] holding hands, and there's only one bad guy standing in the way.
One guy that's going to keep up here until three in the morning,"
Senator John Cornyn a Republican from Texas issued verbal warnings to Rand in a heated argument blaming him for the expected shutdown. In spite of attempting to set up a vote on the budget deal at 10.30 PM, 11 PM and 11.30 PM, 12.20 AM and 1 AM, Rand objected each time.
Democrats, of course, insist that the immigration issue also needs to be addressed in the debate and voting that will be taking place a few hours from now in an attempt to end the Shutdown.
What does the shutdown mean?
The shutdown means that federal employees who are forced to go on unpaid leave won’t get paid in spite of their workplaces being Closed.
In 2013, a similar shutdown lasted for 16 days and ended up costing the US government $2billion.
What's open and what's closed?
Housing, environment, education, and commerce are all closed so staff will remain at home. At least 50 percent of workers in the defense, transport Health and treasury will be staying at home too.
Essential services which are meant for the protection of life and property will continue as well as the postal department, national security, air traffic control, medical services, prisons, disaster services, taxes, and electricity.
National parks and monuments
National parks will be kept open according to the Trump administration because when they were closed in 2013, people were angry about it.
However many staffers or rangers will not report for duty
Although the Statue of Liberty was closed on the first day of the last shutdown, the New York governor tweeted that it reopen, so the same can be expected today. The Independence Hall will be closed along with other national landmarks.
Defense services will work without pay
The Defense Department issued a notice saying that all military active duty personnel will continue to work and report to duty without pay.
Other Closures
- The USFDA
- CDC
- VISA and Passport processing will be delayed
What it means for health: Flu fighters may be put on leave
Even though emergency rooms are filling up with the worst outbreaks of flu in recent years, flu fighters may not report for duty or stay on the job.
In fact, the present shutdown similar to the one in 2013 means that 63 percent of CDC staff in the US and around the world will be made to go on leave. This time 61 percent will be on furlough. The immediate response to urgent disease outbreaks will continue as usual. In 2013 several departments had shut down even those monitoring hepatitis and tuberculosis.
Food safety concerns
CDC workers on leave mean that local and state agencies won’t be able to track unusual outbreaks and problems that impact the food supply. Routine health and safety inspections will be canceled. In 2013, within a week there was an outbreak of drug-resistant salmonella in raw chicken items.
Drug discovery
Patients waiting for lifesaving drugs will have to wait much longer for help.
Government leave means hundreds of patients won’t be able to enroll in important clinical trials that are conducted by the national institutes of health. Most scientific data and work stops during a shutdown. FDA approved drugs will be delayed as well as medical devices and products. If you have queries about vaccines, medical devices blood products and general questions on safety; you will just have to wait because the people who need to answer you will be at home instead.
Veterans will have a problem
Veterans with disabilities waiting for help will have to wait longer. Educations centers, for veterans and counseling, will come to a standstill.
Your environment
Nonemergency inspections will stop and that means hazardous waste, drinking water systems, chemical facilities and pesticide reviews.
The consumer products division will be allowed to complete work only on products considered an immediate threat. Inspections of children’s toys will stop.
But Congress gets paid
Thousands of federal employees will not be paid during the days of the shutdown but Congress gets paid. Senators and House members will continue to be paid because Article 1 section 6 of the American constitution says “The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.”
It is also a raw deal for workers of essential services who have to report to work during a shutdown but will not be paid. Workers of nonessential services will receive unpaid leave.
However, when the shutdown is over, federal employees are usually paid back the amounts they went without.
BVC News reports that the shutdown may extend into days with the stalemate or it may be resolved in a couple of hours. Only time and consensus tempered with common sense in the house if prevails will end it.