The threat of a government shutdown became a lot more real
this week. The House Republican leadership was forced to delay
a vote to fund federal agencies after fiscal 2013 ends on Sept. 30 because
the party’s most conservative wing refused to support the temporary spending
measure. Tea Party Republicans called a concurrent resolution defunding
Obamacare and linked to the stopgap measure a gimmick because Senate Democrats
could have easily defeated it and kept the government open by passing a clean
continuing resolution.
GOP leaders hope to hold a vote on a stopgap spending
measure next week, but a feasible
plan hasn’t emerged yet. The House is scheduled for another recess the week
of Sept. 23, which means lawmakers have five legislative days to pass something
to keep the government open. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., has said
the leadership might cancel the recess if lawmakers fail to accomplish anything
next week.
The anxiety -- and déjà vu -- over a possible government
shutdown marks the first major fiscal deadline Congress and the Obama
administration face during the next few months. Here’s a timeline of upcoming
important dates to watch as the latest budget drama unfolds.
2013
Sept. 30: The current continuing resolution keeping the
government open expires.
Oct. 1: Fiscal 2014 begins. If Congress doesn’t pass a
measure to fund agencies by the end of Sept. 30, then the government shuts down
Oct. 1. Non-essential federal employees immediately would go on furlough until
the government reopens. (including your friendly neighborhood Fed_UP)
Oct. 18: The date when many believe the government runs out
of wiggle room under the debt ceiling and defaults on its debts. It’s possible
the government could stave off this fiscal disaster until early November. If
the government defaults, then the Treasury Department must decide who gets paid
on time, and who doesn’t. This would be unprecedented and could affect military
and civilian pay. Over the next month, Congress and the Obama administration
will haggle over raising the debt ceiling, and Republicans are threatening to
use an increase in the debt ceiling as a bargaining chip in their quest to
delay implementation of the 2010 Affordable Care Act.
Dec. 15: The House Appropriations Committee unveiled a CR on
Tuesday that would fund the government from Oct. 1 through Dec. 15. The current
measure would give agencies flexibility to avoid furloughs during that time
frame. The likelihood of the CR passing is unclear.
Dec. 16: Congress begins its holiday recess through the end
of the year. During the past few years, both chambers have worked up to the end
of December to debate and vote on important budget legislation. So far, history
is on track to repeat itself.
Dec. 31: Look for news regarding a possible civilian pay
increase around this time, or an extension of the pay freeze, now in its third
year. President Obama wants to give civilian employees (as well as military
personnel) a 1 percent, across-the-board pay boost in 2014. So far, Congress
has remained silent on a civilian pay increase. If lawmakers do not pass a
measure prohibiting a raise or extending the pay freeze, then the president’s
recommendation takes effect. It’s hard to imagine lawmakers in this environment
allowing that to happen.
2014
Jan. 15: The automatic cuts under sequestration take effect
for fiscal 2014 on this date, unless Congress changes the law before then.
Agencies likely will start announcing furlough plans soon after, if the
sequester remains in place. The FBI
has already said it will furlough employees for 10 days if the sequester
remains in place.
Feb. 3: President Obama must submit his fiscal 2015 budget
proposal to Congress by the first Monday in February. But Obama typically has
been late delivering his blueprint, blaming sequestration last year. Congress
didn’t receive his fiscal 2014 proposal until April 2013.
I felt this was a good breakdown of the Timeline towards shutdown. Keep your fingers crossed.
#tiredofthisshit
