government shutdown

September is the last month before the end of the federal government’s fiscal year. The Senate came back into session on September 5^th and the House returns on September 12^th. Government funding for the next fiscal year must occur by October 1, 2023.

While the Senate Majority Leader and House Speaker have agreed on a short term continuing resolution to meet funding obligations during the debt ceiling negotiations in May, the House Freedom Caucus has threatened to pursue the shutdown unless their demands are met.

Currently, the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $772.5 billion for non-defense discretionary spending and $858 billion for defense funding with broad bipartisan support. The House has approved bills only along partisan lines. The House bills make deep cuts in non-defense appropriations, particularly with programs related to climate change, the IRS, the Justice Department and the Pentagon. The bills also contain “poison pill” legislative riders pushing policies against LGBTQ programs, racial equity and access to reproductive health care.

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Last night Congress agreed to fund the government through December 22, 2017 and just hours ago the President signed that bill. One of Congress’ constitutional obligations is to approve government funding. The federal government’s fiscal year runs through October 1^st to September 30^th. Because Congress cannot agree on spending priorities, particular the defense department, immigration and healthcare, annual funding has been delayed. With the approaching holidays and more work to be done, another possible shutdown, days before Christmas, is a possibility. According to Reuters, “the White House and lawmakers say the bill will give them more time to negotiate several end-of-year agenda items, including the budget, a children’s health program and hurricane aid.”

For those of you who rely on SSDI or SSI monthly disability benefits, these will not be affected by a government shutdown. However, for those of you who have pending claims before the Social Security Administration, there may be a slowdown in services. It is hard to imagine that it could be any slower, but apparently that is possible. If the shutdown lasts between 1-5 days, essential SSA employees will continue to work. Ninety-seven percent of hearing office employees will report for work. However, if the shutdown lasts for more than five days, SSA will “re-evaluate its contingency plan.” We do expect that scheduled hearings will continue. However, a shutdown that lasts beyond five days will furlough more employees and create more backlog in workloads.

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Articles Tagged with government shutdown

CONGRESS FACES ANOTHER POSSIBLE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN THREATENS SSA ACTIVITY