What a Government Shutdown Would Mean Here

Benjamin Franklin once said there are two certainties in life: death and taxes. 

That’s true even if Congress can’t reach an agreement about spending levels for the next six months and causes a government shut down Friday at midnight. Because even though many agencies will be affected, including the IRS, residents must still file on time. And, though Rep. Jim Himes (D-4) was slightly optimistic last week that a deal would be reached, time is running out. 

“It has been disheartening to watch the failure to reach the kind of bipartisan agreement that so many of our constituents want,” Himes said in a letter sent to mayors and first selectmen across the district.

At issue are spending levels for the next six months. The Democrats proposed $33 billion in cuts, which the GOP says doesn’t go far enough. The Republicans proposed $61 billion in cuts, including slashing funding for Planned Parenthood and National Public Radio.

“The argument we’re having in the House about $10 billion here and $10 billion there is profoundly dishonest,” Himes said. “But look the majority in the House is promoting lots of social issues, like reproductive rights for women or trying to get the EPA out of regulating air quality.”

Himes said his office is preparing to handle calls and emails from constituents.

“We’re seeing a lot of concern from people asking if they have a son in the Navy will he have support, or will Social Security payments still go out,” Himes said.

The answer is yes on both counts. Paychecks to the military and Social Security payments are expected to continue. However, though everyone must file on time, in the event of a shutdown the IRS won’t process paper tax returns, which account for 30 percent of all filings. It will process electronic filings. Anyone expecting a refund can expect a delay. 

According to the letter, services deemed “essential” will continue. This will include anything related to the preservation of life and property such as our military, intelligence and security activities, air traffic control, law enforcement, border patrol, the functions of the federal court system, and the provision of critical health benefits through the Medicare, Medicaid, and VA systems. 

The Stamford Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic expects to remain open and doctors and nurses will still take care of patients. 

Of course politicking has already begun, with each party holding the other responsible. It’s a game Himes said he hasn’t any patience for.

“Unfortunately if a shutdown occurs instead of talking about the budget all the finger pointing will begin,” Himes said. “At the end of the day we’re not even discussing the even more complicated issue of the 2012 budget.”

So far there are at least three different 2012 proposals being floated. President Barack Obama has offered up a budget, Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson, co-chairs of the president’s bi-partisan deficit commission, offered a proposal. And so has Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) who chairs the House Budget Committee. 

“More and more people are starting to expand the sandbox in which we are playing,” Himes said. “I disagree with a lot of what he [Ryan] has proposed, but what matters is the process has started.”

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said it would take between two and three weeks for Connecticut to feel the affects of a shut down. Anything longer could affect the delivery of certain social services, public health, transportation and education.

But, locally, Wilton’s Weir Farm National Historic Site wouldn’t welcome visitors.

“We remain hopeful that there will not be a government shutdown. However, as President Obama stated in the unfortunate event there is a shutdown, the National Park System will be closed,” said David Barna, spokesperson for the National Park Service.

The park’s superintendent Giles Parker couldn’t officially comment. 

According to the Congressional Research Service, past shutdowns meant the closure of 368 National Park Service sites. That meant a loss of 7 million visitors and lost tourism revenue. 

And while neither rain, nor government shutdown – partial or otherwise – will prevent postal workers from making their appointed rounds, it’s another story for visa and passport services. 

Stamford’s US Passport Agency would close until Congress reaches a budget deal.

The last time the government closed, about 20,000 to 30,000 visas went unprocessed each day across the nation. About 200,000 US applications for passports went unprocessed. As a result, the tourist and airline industries sustained millions of dollars in losses nation-wide, according to Congressional Research Service.

As for new hiring some might experience delays. The Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program, which businesses use to ensure employee eligibility would be suspended.