Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) told constituents this morning that he expects a government shutdown, National Journal reports.
Later, on the Senate floor, Reid said, "The numbers are basically there. But I am not near as optimistic -- and that's an understatement -- as I was 11 hours ago."
Meanwhile, President Obama has called for an early afternoon meeting with House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Reid in an attempt to break the impasse.
Update: I should add that Social Security is being a lot less than forthright about how big their furlough will be. In 1995, the last time there was a shutdown, almost everyone at Social Security was furloughed initially but then most employees were called back to work three days later. Will we have a repeat of that experience? Will we start out where things ended up after three days in 1995? Will there be a hard line and almost everyone furloughed for the duration of the shutdown? Social Security is not saying. It is not Social Security's call. The White House is making these decisions.
I'm work for SSA in Baltimore PC7.
ReplyDeleteIt is frustrating that we have not been told which positions would be furloughed.
Last time in the 90's we knew several days before the first furlough which jobs were deemed "essential", and which would be non-essential. There seems to be more secrecy this time.
A few more tidbits about SSA plans:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/07/us/politics/07shutdown.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss
If they tea party Republicans don't want to compromise, why should the administration make it easy for them to shut down the government? If there's no pain, then the tea party's position (the federal government is a huge waste) is ratified. So make it hurt. Shut it down. Of course, those hurt most will be at the bottom of the economic ladder, but there's really no other political choice that makes any sense for the White House.
ReplyDeleteOffices are supposed to hear sometime on Friday morning (presumably no earlier than 11:00 am Eastern because of the west coast offices) what positions are furloughed and which are to report on Monday unless someone agrees to compromise.
ReplyDeleteAnon 7:48 you might notice that the Congress did not pass a budget while the Dems had control of both houses. This in spite of it being one of their very few constitutionally mandated duties. Who is trying to shut the government down?
ReplyDeleteA 8:09--Congress seldom passes a budget by the due date. 2011 was no different from preceding years. I remember some instances in the 80's in which we didn't get any money to spend for photocopy paper and basic supplies until July. Nothing going on here in that department. Hang around. At least this year it's going to be interesting.
ReplyDelete"If there's no pain, then the tea party's position (the federal government is a huge waste) is ratified. So make it hurt. Shut it down." AGREED.
ReplyDeleteIt's not really a government shutdown until EVERYTHING stops. Stop Social Security payments, stop Medicare reimbursements to doctors, completely close all government offices and agencies, etc. Then maybe the ignorant Americans who hate the government will realize how important it truly is to the livelihood of us all -- Democrats, Republicans, AND Tea Partiers.