It is a stand-off. If congress and the president are unable to find a compromise concerning current year spending, as of Friday midnight, the federal government is no longer able to spend funds and we will see the first government shut down since 1996. Unbeknownst to most Americans, congress has not passed an approved budget for the current fiscal year, which began in October. Without a budget, the government has been operating using continuing resolutions. Continuing resolutions are temporary agreements to allow the government to continue to operate under the terms of the previous budget until congress can complete the budget.
The current continuing resolution is set to expire on Friday, April 8th at 11:59 pm. Without a budget agreement or another resolution the government will force the partial shutdown of federal agencies across the country. Only military, law enforcement and agencies providing health care activities will remain open.
The primary issue dividing the congressional parties is concerning government borrowing, collection of money through taxation and spending. The Republicans have rejected ideas to increase the government’s borrowing limits and want to slow the rate of spending. The Republican House members have proposed a $61 billion spending cut for the next six months. They are targeting discretionary spending for agencies such as the Coast Guard, Environmental Protection Agency and National Parks. Although there is talk about entitlement programs such as Medicaid and Social Security, any spending cuts are not included in this proposal. While $61 billion may seem like a significant amount, it represents 1.6% of the federal government expenditures (roughly 5-6 days spending).
They are trying to reach common ground, but resolution seems more unlikely as we approach Friday. According to a NBC/New York Times poll, 37% of the population blames the Republican congressional members, 20% blames the Democratic congressional members and 20% blames President Obama. Even with the political pressures from polling, neither side appears to want to give in as of yet.
What do you think about our government operating without a budget? What do you think about the idea of spending decreases given the nation’s current economic situation? Who will you blame if the government is forces to suspend operations on Friday? If the government is shut down, how do you think it may impact you?
Morgan- I think that there should always be a budget on spending. Without a budget you spend a lot and not even no it. We could be wasting money because we have no budget.I think it is smart that they are decreasing their spending because in this economy we kind of need to. I would blame everybody in the government even President Obama. They need to come up with a solution and if nobody comes up with one they are all at fault. I don't really know how it would impact me. I don't get why they are shutting it down. I have never heard of this till today.
ReplyDeleteHannah- spending because that is the only way I know of Running without a budget is very risky and dumb. Without budgets people are likely to spend way too much. I think it is good that they are decreasing that we can get out of this mess. They need a solution and fast, if they don't everyone is at fault.people just need to suck it up and compromise or something because this is really serious, that is why it shocks me that so many people haven't heard about it. I'm not sure how the goverment shutting down will effect me personally but I know a lot of jobs are going to be lost
ReplyDeletegabby- i think that if the government operating without a budget is just like getting ready for trouble. i think that if the government shouldn't be spending any money until they can comprise on the budget and just focus on the budget. but right now the government could spend a ridiculous amount, which isn't good. i think its good to be decreasing considering that the economy isn't that good. i think it could help the government reducing their spending amount like we have to. i think morgan is right that everyone is to blame if someone doesn't do something soon, by tonight it's not gonna be good. i have no one if the government shut down how it would effect me.
ReplyDeleteRyan Z.- I think that the fact that we haven't had a new budget designed by now is ridiculous and that shutting down is a good way to save some money and make congress decide faster. Because now if Henry Reid want's to go to the post office, he can't because oh yea, it's shut down! I also think that regarding the budget we need to take whatever the democratic side of congress thinks is "cutting back" and cut it in half because they think that cutting back means no more diesel fuel for their limos but to the rest of the world cutting back means no more limos! So come on government just make a reasonable budget soon please.
ReplyDeleteHalle- Hey no negativity student number 4!!! I think that since we dont have a budget is ridiculous. it can and is causing problems for us and it will just add to much more stress for everyone. I think that decreasing can be better with the economy. It might help by reducing the spending amount likek gabby said. Right now we just need to reach a compromise and get the budget back into order. I think everyone is to blame. They aren't taking alot of action to reach a compromise which is what they need to do. They just need to talk about and get it in line or else it could be a disaster.
ReplyDeleteAngie- This is just plain stupid if we don't have a budget. I honestly don't know how we will operate without a budget! The economy's bad enough, and now this comes in. I agree wthat we should cut down on spending, but there are so many problems going on in th U.S. right now. I don't know who I'd blame if Fridays were suspended. My dad said that Obama needs to cut down because he's been spending WAY too much money. This will effect EVERYONE! First of all, with the federal government shut down, we can't go to any national parks! Yellowstone, Craters of the Moon, and the Grand Canyon! This is ridiculous! We really need to get it together. We really have to cooperate and work this out!!
ReplyDeleteSofia- If we dont have a budget we are gonna be in big trouble. WE arent going to be able to do anything without a budget. The economy is already bad and now if we dont have a budget things could get worse. I dont know who i would blame if fridays were suspended.It will affect me by not lettting me maybe go to a national prak if i decided. It will affect everyone greatly.
ReplyDeleteLuke- like everyone hear knows we have a low budget which isn't helping the United States. and i think its even stupider if we don't have one at all though that is just flat out stupid. Like Sofia said we are sitting ducks if we don't have a budget though. The economy is already a mess and i think that its not the end of it. It could potentially get worse! I don't really know who specifically blame but everyone is part of it. And national parks and fun places like that are being closed cause of this. this we effect almost everyone.
ReplyDeleteDanielle-I don't really like the idea of our goverment it is just doing worse for our country.People are likely to spend much more.I do think it is good that they are decresing because we are in need of it badly and good to find something to work this mess out. Im not sure who i would blame about Fridays. I mean like all the National Parks are closing, its really ridiculous, i mean the government really needs to work itself out!!!
ReplyDeleteMarya- this whole thing is just bad. without a budget, people are gonna go crazy with spending. you need a budget. you cant even argue with that. the economy was bad before and now its just going to get worse with people spending money like this. i dont like how people who work for the government are not getting paid. that will effect them and their familys. what if you were driving to yellowstone for a vacation and then its suddenly closed. it wont really impact me but it will impact other people. they need to work this whole thing out
ReplyDeletejosu-i think operating a government without a budget is risky. People will spend more money than they need to without a budget. I think we should cut back on unnecesary spending. The government did not shut down so i wouldnt blame anyone. if the government did shut down it would be hardfor people going on trips to get their passports done and ready
ReplyDeletePhillip- Our government operating without a budget would be very irresponsible, because everyone needs to operate within their budget, including our government. I think spending decreases during the nation’s current economic situation are good because we are in debt and debt makes our economy worse. The government did not suspend operation on Friday because they reached a compromise. If they did have to suspend operations, I would not have blamed anyone because I would probably not have reached an agreement if I were them. It is human nature to always want your way. It is still possible for the government to shut down. If that happens I may not get to go to a national park in the summer time but necessary services will still be in business.
ReplyDeleteCooper- In order to operate a buisness family or goverment you have to have an operation budget. We need to cut back on the corporations and their wants and focus and doing better on the lives of individuals. Communist because they cant seem to get anything right. Lots of services will not be avaible.
ReplyDeleteTravis-It is dangerous working with out a budget, like walking on thin ice. If we don't decrease the spending, we will definitely fall apart, so i think it is a good idea. I don't think any one person is at fault for the whole friday thing, A lot of people would just say, OBAMA DID IT!!!!! but i don't believe that is true, it is a number of people's faults. If the government will shut down, I won't be any more effected than any other American, like not going to parks and museums, but not any thing life altering or anything like that.
ReplyDeleteAtticus- (I have posted this blog twice and today i notised that it still isnt on so im posting it again) I think that if the government operates without a buget is just heading for truble. I also think that we should decrece the spending. The friday thing is a lot of peoples faults not just obamas. If the government shuts down it will be a magior problem but i dont think that it will effect me verry much.
ReplyDeleteRyan M- I think that the government should work on a budget but i dont really know what it means. I think i will blame Obama and everyone in the government. If the government is shut down well i dont really now so ill say that i will cross that bridge when i get to it
ReplyDeletekaed- i think that is not safe working without a budget. people spend way to much without a budget anyway. Everybody will say if the government that i will be Obamas fault because most Americans dont like Obama, but its not just his fault. Its other people's fault too.
ReplyDeleteCristina- it's crazy that our government is operating with out a budget. any house hold or business that operated with out a budget could be in debt or closed because how can you run a business or house hold not knowing how much money is coming in and going out. i think its good to have spending decreases because we can't afford the programs we are funding now so some of them need to be cut or reduced.i will blame congress and the president for not putting a budget in place. it is their duty to have a budget. it won't affect me because the things in boise that i use or need are paid for by the citizens of idaho.
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