Can someone explain in 1-2 sentences what is gov-t shutdown?

rickrollcollector

I mean what is the purpose? I can't comprehend wording in wiki...

Like people who are in certain areas of gov-t banches don't go to work? They save money? Someone is grounded for not doing their job?

arch_8ngel

The short answer:



No, it doesn't really "save money".



Basically, non-essential workers might stay home and not get paid, but essential workers will go to work and not get paid NOW (because money can't legally flow without congressional authorization), but WILL probably get paid "later" when the shutdown is over, as back-pay.





Also, there is something of a track record of a "shutdown" starting on a Friday afternoon and ending by Monday morning as they all come to some kind of agreement over the weekend.

Tulpa

It's about Congress and/or the President refusing to fund certain government operations. It's hard to pin down because there are different levels and interpretations of what gets shut down and how it is executed. Could be employees furloughed, could be agencies having their activities curtailed. Every shutdown tends to be different. It's more a political leveraging tool than anything else, though it does affect a lot of livelihoods.

rickrollcollector

So, in short term its BS and doesn't really play any important role because things get done eventually one way or another? Got it

phart010

It happens because there is a debt ceiling, think of it like a credit card spending limit. When you reach limit, you can't borrow more money. Instead you have to come up with a better plan to work within your means.



Some parts of the government are considered non-essential (museums, national parks etc) and even within essential government departments some employees are considered non-essential. Non essential employees are told to take leave without pay until a new budget is agreed to.



Politicians use this as a hostage opportunity to threaten opposition that if they don't agree to policy compromises before the deadline, then they'll let the government shut down.



In reality they never really come up with a better budget plan, they just increase the debt ceiling which allows us to continue spending more more than the government actually collects in tax revenues and we end up having reaching another debt ceiling a few years later

Tulpa

Originally posted by: rickrollcollector



So, in short term its BS and doesn't really play any important role because things get done eventually one way or another? Got it

Yes, but you may not like the way "things get done eventually."



 

rickrollcollector

Originally posted by: phart010



It happens because there is a debt ceiling, think of it like a credit card spending limit. When you reach limit, you can't borrow more money. Instead you have to come up with a better plan to work within your means.



Some parts of the government are considered non-essential (museums, national parks etc) and even within essential government departments some employees are considered non-essential. Non essential employees are told to take leave without pay until a new budget is agreed to.



Politicians use this as a hostage opportunity to threaten opposition that if they don't agree to policy compromises before the deadline, then they'll let the government shut down.



In reality they never really come up with a better budget plan, they just increase the debt ceiling which allows us to continue spending more more than the government actually collects in tax revenues and we end up having reaching another debt ceiling a few years later

Now, that I understand well. Thank you.

Next time at my Russian family dinner someone will be like "wtf is gov-t shutdown" and I will be like well...

 

abandoned_account

Originally posted by: Tulpa

 

Originally posted by: rickrollcollector



So, in short term its BS and doesn't really play any important role because things get done eventually one way or another? Got it

Yes, but you may not like the way "things get done eventually."



 

It can also play havoc with federally funded scientific endeavors. During previous gov't shutdowns various tests have had to be shutdown or postponed after months of prep that then need to be restarted.

teh lurv

Originally posted by: phart010



It happens because there is a debt ceiling, think of it like a credit card spending limit. When you reach limit, you can't borrow more money. Instead you have to come up with a better plan to work within your means.



Some parts of the government are considered non-essential (museums, national parks etc) and even within essential government departments some employees are considered non-essential. Non essential employees are told to take leave without pay until a new budget is agreed to.



Politicians use this as a hostage opportunity to threaten opposition that if they don't agree to policy compromises before the deadline, then they'll let the government shut down.



In reality they never really come up with a better budget plan, they just increase the debt ceiling which allows us to continue spending more more than the government actually collects in tax revenues and we end up having reaching another debt ceiling a few years later

The debt ceiling and government budget are two seperate things. The current issue in Washington right now is passing a government budget. If no budget is passed, a partial shutdown occurs because the various agencies technically don't have an approved budget to pay their employees.