Thursday, April 7, 2011

Here's how it would work if government shuts down

Tea Party rails "Shut 'er down" not to be confused with "Git 'er done"


From the Miami Herald


-Military. Troops would remain on duty, receiving IOUs rather than paychecks. "They will continue to earn money during this period," said a senior Obama administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity as a matter of White House policy. "But given that we don't have any money during this period of time, they will not receive paychecks." They would be paid retroactively once Congress and the president sign a budget deal.


-Civilians at the Department of Defense. Those whose work helps protect life or property would keep working. Others would be sent home, apparently without pay. "We expect a significant number of DoD civilian employees would be furloughed," the administration official said.


-Internal Revenue Service. Income tax returns filed electronically would be processed. Payments would be collected. "We need to be able to collect the money that is owed to the U.S. government," the senior administration official said. Refunds for e-filed returns also would be sent automatically. But paper-filed returns would not be processed, and refunds would be held until furloughed employees could return to work. Audits would be postponed.

-Mail. The U.S. Postal Service would still deliver the mail, thanks to income from stamps. "We're self-funded," said Postal Service spokesman Gerry McKiernan. "It's a normal day for us."

-Social Security. Checks would still be sent out to current beneficiaries, either through the mail or electronically. The Obama administration said final plans were still being prepared, and would not say whether the Social Security Administration would be able to handle claims for new beneficiaries.

-Medicare. Would still make payments to beneficiaries "at least for a short period of time," according to the senior administration official.

Oh yes, the President and the congress would still get paid on time.


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/06/2154111/if-the-us-government-shuts-down.html#ixzz1IrNGeRG1

2 comments:

  1. This bickering among parties is so stupid. Fed employees in Laredo were already put on alert that they may not return to work after tomorrow. The delay or threat of a federal shutdown is just costing more money with all the preparations that have to be done for the "just in cases". Pura politica - Ugh.

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  2. Well even if they don't shut down now, it's already costing them-UGH is right.

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