A government shutdown is on the horizon next weekend.
Hurdles and High Stakes: Impending Government Shutdown
Government functions are poised for a midnight shutdown this coming Saturday unless lawmakers can strike a compromise this week to extend the existing federal budget—an elusive accord that has evaded resolution for months.
As the fiscal year concludes on September 30, the current budget framework, essential for maintaining nearly all federal operations, also nears its end. Persistent disputes between Democrats and Republicans regarding future federal spending levels, as well as internal conflicts within the House GOP caucus, have yet to yield any promising strategies to prevent a lapse in appropriations.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, have both committed to collaborating in the days ahead to reach a consensus on a budget agreement. However, they have also taken the opportunity to criticize each other for hindering progress in previous efforts.
Should a government shutdown occur next week, it would mark the first time since 2013 that all federal agencies have been impacted. During that congressional dispute, approximately 850,000 federal employees—constituting around 40% of the government workforce—were furloughed for a duration of 16 days.
By; M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
