Countdown to Potential Government Shutdown: What You Need to Know About Agency Contingency Plans

Government Shutdown: What’s Happening?

As the deadline for government funding approaches, uncertainty looms. Agencies typically share their shutdown plans on the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) website. These plans outline which federal employees will continue working and which will be furloughed.

Right now, that information is missing. The usual updates aren’t there, leaving many in the dark about what to expect if a shutdown occurs. A recent request for comment from OMB went unanswered, raising questions about their plans.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration removed contingency plans that had been prepared for potential shutdowns. These plans had been updated under the Biden administration. In 2023, a report showed that agencies had estimated hundreds of thousands of federal employees would be furloughed, with around 65% of the workforce still working in some capacity. However, those numbers might change now due to the lack of current plans.

When a government shutdown happens, employees fall into three groups: excepted, furloughed, and exempt. Excepted employees keep working without pay, while furloughed workers are sent home. Both groups get back pay once the shutdown ends. Exempt employees continue to get paid because their funding comes from different sources.

During a shutdown, the effects ripple through the federal workforce. Max Stier, president of the Partnership for Public Service, warned that it could worsen existing workforce issues. A shutdown might lead to slower services and more significant backlogs.

This year’s situation is different from past shutdowns. About 200,000 federal workers have left their jobs in various ways, and estimates suggest that number might reach 300,000 by December. Given this reduction, the response to a shutdown could be more challenging than before.

Historically, shutdowns have had severe economic consequences. The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association pointed out that the five-week shutdown in 2018-2019 cost around $11 billion. Experts believe this time the financial impact could be more significant since no full-year funding has been allocated yet.

Doreen Greenwald from the National Treasury Employees Union highlighted the growing anxiety among federal workers as uncertainty creeps into their daily routines. The time that should be spent on government tasks is now split with shutdown preparations.

In summary, as we near the funding deadline, clarity is essential for federal workers and the public alike. The stakes are high, and the economic fallout could be severe if agreement is not reached. Expect more conversations about the implications of this potential shutdown in the days to come.

For further details on government shutdown impacts, refer to the OMB’s official website.

Source link

donald trump,doreen greenwald,government shutdown,max stier,national active and retired federal employees association,national treasury employees union,office of management and budget,partnership for public service,william shackelford