Some Congressional Democrats are considering the possibility of shutting down the federal government in March due to the Trump administration’s actions to dismantle government programs and agencies. Federal government funding will expire on March 14, and in order to avoid a shutdown, Congress will need to pass legislation designating new spending levels or extend current ones.
Democrats have argued that the Trump administration’s actions, such as dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development and gutting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, are unconstitutional because they ignore congressional spending directions set forth in the annual appropriations bill. Democrats believe they need to hold the administration accountable and prevent further “lawlessness.”
If Republicans cannot reassure Democrats that their spending directives will be implemented, several Democrats, including Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey, have indicated they would be willing to let the government shut down. The Republicans control the House by a slim majority and the Senate by only four seats, so they will need Democratic support to avoid a shutdown.
During a government shutdown, all non-essential government functions are put on hold, and non-essential workers are furloughed without pay. National parks may be closed, food safety inspections delayed, and passport and visa services disrupted. However, air traffic control, law enforcement, border protection, power grid maintenance, and Social Security and Medicare payments would continue. The U.S. Postal Service would also continue functioning as it does not rely on Congressional funding.
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