With a government shutdown a few hours away, President Obama outlined Monday afternoon what a government shutdown would look like if Congress fails to pass a spending bill.
“Office buildings will close, paychecks will be delayed, vital services that seniors and veterans, women and children, businesses and our economy depend on will be hamstrung,” Obama said at the White House. “Veterans who have sacrificed for their country will find their support centers unstaffed. Tourists will find every one of America’s national parks and monuments immediately closed. The communities and small businesses that rely on these national treasures for their livelihoods will be out of customers and out of luck.”
Obama reiterated that the federal government is the nation’s largest employer with more than two million civilian employees and 1.4 million active military members.
“In the event of a government shutdown, hundreds of thousands of these dedicated public servants who stay on the job will do so without pay,” Obama said. “Several hundred thousand more will be immediately and indefinitely furloughed without pay.”
“Of course, what will not be furlouged are the bills they have to pay. Their mortgages, tuition payments,” Obama continued. These Americans are our neighbors. Their kids go to our school. We worship where we do. They serve their country with pride. They are the customers of every business in this country. And they would be hurt gravely and as a consequence all of us will be hurt gravely should Congress choose to shut the people’s government down. A shutdown will have a very real economic impact on real people right away.”
“Past shutdowns have disrupted the economy significantly. This one would, too,” he said.
The federal government would shut down Tuesday if Congress fails to pass a new spending bill.
