The Associated Press (“AP News”) reports today that the United States (“US”) federal government is only days from a shutdown that will disrupt many services, squeeze workers and roil politics as several hard-right Republicans in the House of Representatives are adamantly against an additional Continuing Resolution and are demanding that the US Congress, instead, be forced to approve actual budgets for fiscal year 2024 because of excessive federal spending.
Although some governmental operations will continue, including the delivery of social security payments, other governmental operations will be severely curtailed or closed. Upon shutdown, federal agencies will cease all operations deemed “non-essential” and millions of federal employees, including members of the military, will no longer receive paychecks.
The AP News article may be read HERE.
My brothers and sisters, it seems that the odds of a federal government shutdown this weekend are very good. If this happens, it’s impossible to know how long the shutdown would last. History.com has an excellent summary of the last 10 times the US federal government suffered shutdowns. The History.com article may be viewed HERE.
Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress have ideological and political reasons for allowing a shutdown to occur. Generally speaking, Democrats have no strong incentive or desire to reduce spending – which might include limiting climate change spending and goals – and they have a successful history of blaming Republicans when funding goes wrong. Republicans, who all claim to desire fiscal responsibility and a strong military, suffer from the ongoing fracture within the party between the more moderate and so-called “establishment” members and the more aggressive and fiscally-conservative members, such as Congressman Matt Gaetz, who routinely hold House Speaker Kevin McCarty’s grip on the speakership over his head.
A protracted shutdown, in this economy, in the midst of an ongoing presidential impeachment inquiry, and during the presidential primary election season (among many other concerns) would almost certainly result in flaring tempers and even less chance of collaboration on a resolution. The last thing the US needs right now is further portrayal of weakened leadership and a disaffected military – serving without pay.
Let’s pray that our government quickly finds a way to come together and move toward a resolution that simultaneously reduces current federal spending, reduces the federal debt, and meets the genuine needs of its citizens (e.g., military, social security payments, postal services) – with the removal of excessive and unnecessary expenditures.
What we need right now is the wisdom and the peace of God in our lives, within our government, and upon our land! Amen!
James 1:5 (NKJV)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
Philippians 4:6-8 (NKJV)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!