Posted on 09/28/2015 8:19:10 AM PDT by Citizen Zed
Troops may miss paychecks and civilians may be kept at home if Congress doesn't act to prevent a government shutdown later this week.
A memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work last week outlined the steps the military would take if Congress doesn't pass a 2016 appropriations bill by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, when the federal fiscal year ends.
Work said he and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter hope Congress will provide an appropriations bill or continuing resolution to prevent the shutdown.
"The administration is willing to work with the Congress to enact a short-term continuing resolution to fund critical government operations and allow Congress the time to complete the full year 2016 appropriations," he said in the Friday memo.
Work said a potential shutdown would not effect overseas operations, such as those in Iraq or Afghanistan. He said other operations, "necessary for the safety of human life or the protection of property" would also continue.
And while active-duty military personnel will continue in a "normal duty status," Work said those troops would "not be paid until such time as Congress makes appropriated funds available to compensate them for this period of service."
Civilian personnel who are required to work will be treated the same way, while others will be furloughed.
The potential shutdown comes two years after the last government shutdown, which lasted 16 days in October 2013.
During that shutdown, half the roughly 14,500 civilian workers on Fort Bragg were put on indefinite furlough and soldiers and their families were forced to curb spending in the face of unknown delays to their paychecks.
The shutdown also led to backed up maintenance at Pope Field, grounding planes longer than usual, and prevented local National Guard, Army Reserve and Air Force Reserve troops from training.
Other possible effects of a a potential shutdown this year include stopping travel and conference participation by members of the military and halting the renewal or extension of contracts.
Work's memo also outlined potential stoppages in regards to procurement and military construction, if it involves appropriations that lapse at the end of the fiscal year. The memo did not direct specific shutdown-related actions.
"The secretary and I hope that Congress will pass a funding bill and the Department of Defense will avoid a shutdown," he said. "This guidance is intended to support prudent planning."
Nope last polling showed a whopping 80% of voters blamed the Republicans. Even Mike Lee was backpedaling. And you know all these fed workers are still going to get paid. It’s a free vacation delivered by the Republicans.
Fearmongering azzhats.
Wow, how many times are they going to spout these lies? Just because they made the same claims for the last 20 gov’t shutdowns, and they have been wrong every time, doesn’t mean they have lost their credibility yet....
“Please correct me if am wrong, but is the $700 billion stimulus being authorized every year by “CONTINUING” what was passed in 2008?”
You are correct and that is precisely why we have not passed a budget and are now working illegally with continuing resolutions.
“The Public HATES shutdowns. The Republicans will get blamed. Our polls will tank and in the end will be begging Obama for mercy. The only people who like shutdowns more then the folks on this board are Obama and Jarrett”
You either forgot your sarc tag or you are posting from Boehner’s office. You couldn’t be more wrong as has been shown with EVERY shutdown from Reagan, to BJ Clinton to 2014. But hey, don’t let any facts get in your rhetorical way.
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