Government Shutdown Approaches: Deadline In 1 Week

The government shutdown deadline is one week away. As lawmakers scramble to avoid the shutdown, both sides are pointing fingers.

On Friday, the House passed a bill to continue funding the government beyond the September 30 deadline. However, the measure does not allow any funding for the Affordable Care Act.

The bill will now be presented to the Senate. As reported by Washington Post, the Senate is not expected to approve the measure.

Republican lawmakers strongly oppose the Affordable Care Act. However, they have gained little support from Senate democrats. Anticipating continued opposition, Senator Ted Cruz has threatened to filibuster.

Senator Rand Paul is concerned a filibuster will either delay or completely halt any progress.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid could remove the provision that defunds the Affordable Care Act. Republican lawmakers expect the Senate to approve an amended measure.

The modified measure would then be presented back to the House. If the House does not approve the continuing resolution, the government shutdown will proceed.

As reported by ABC News, Cruz blames the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, for the stalemate.

President Obama had harsh words about the attempt to defund the Affordable Care Act:

“Let me say as clearly as I can: It is not going to happen.”

Republican Tom Graves says if President Obama refuses to compromise the Affordable Care Act, he will be responsible for the shutdown. Graves is full support of delaying Obamacare:

“I propose an idea that kept the government operating and opened for an entire year while delaying and defunding Obamacare for a year so that we could work out those differences.”

It appears that the Affordable Care Act is the only remaining controversy. However, both sides are equally passionate about their stance.

As reported by Forbes, a government shutdown will likely include the furlough of “non-essential” federal employees. In 1995, the shutdown led to the furlough of more than 250,000 government employees. Nearly 500,000 continued working with reduced pay.

Citizens may be effected in numerous ways. Programs such as Head Start could cease operations. Visas and passport processing could halt. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms could delay processing permits and applications. National parks could close.

Nobody want to see a government shutdown. However, as lawmakers have refused to compromise, it may be unavoidable.

[Image via Wikipedia]