(Photo: U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
As the new year begins, the possibility of a government shutdown looms over the United States, with lawmakers facing the risk of disruptions in military funding and government operations unless a new budget plan is passed by Jan. 19. The situation mirrors the challenges that persisted throughout 2023.
After approving a short-term budget extension in early November, legislators are once again confronted with the urgency of reaching a consensus on a full-year budget plan. The repercussions of their decisions in early January may extend into the fiscal year 2025 budget, compounding the challenges federal agencies are already facing due to the delay in appropriate changes to their funding plans.
Fiscal 2024 commenced on Oct. 1, leaving federal agencies without a finalized budget plan. Pentagon leaders emphasize the impact of this delay, noting that certain new programs and purchases have been put on hold until a budget is passed. The uncertainty surrounding the timing of such an agreement adds to the complexity, with Congress facing dual shutdown deadlines in the coming weeks.
The short-term spending deal from November extended funding for specific agencies, such as the VA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, until Jan. 19. If no budget deal is reached by then, these offices would face partial closure. While the VA has advance appropriations to sustain crucial operations beyond that date, a late January partial government shutdown might have a limited impact on Military and Veteran Families.
The stakes rise as Defense Department funding, along with Homeland Security and the rest of the government, is set to expire on Feb. 2. Without a budget deal, troop paychecks will be halted, non-essential base services will cease, and family moves will be postponed. Despite expressed hopes from both Democrats and Republicans to avoid such a scenario, a compromise remains elusive, with spending limits and adherence to agreed-upon budget outlines emerging as major points of contention between House Republicans and White House officials.
The potential repercussions of a government shutdown extend beyond federal workers, impacting millions of Americans. Federal programs, including transportation, food, and housing plans, face expiration on Jan. 19, with additional departments, including Commerce, Health and Human Services, State, Defense, and Labor facing a deadline on February 2.
A government shutdown could disrupt food assistance benefits and pause certain food safety inspections, impacting the general public. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has warned about the immediate impact on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, WIC, in the event of a shutdown. Depending on the location, access to HeadStart programs for childcare could also be jeopardized.
In the event of a government shutdown, non-essential federal workers would be furloughed, while essential personnel, such as air traffic controllers and emergency personnel, would work without pay, eventually receiving backpay once the shutdown concludes. The ripple effects extend to subcontractors who may find themselves out of work without the promise of backpay.
House Speaker Mike Johnson faces internal strife within the GOP, and legislators must navigate multiple issues simultaneously, including passing an international aid package for Ukraine and Israel and negotiating a border security plan. As lawmakers return to Washington, the pressing challenge is to either pass spending bills to keep the government operational or approve another temporary deal to avert a shutdown.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
