SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — With the federal government nearing a possible shutdown, thousands of workers could be furloughed or forced to work without pay.
Congress has until Oct. 1 to approve a federal funding package before a total government shutdown.
If that happens, only essential employees will continue working, but they won’t get paid until Congress reaches a deal.
After failed negotiations on Monday, there’s just one day left before a government shutdown.
“We’ve come down to the wire, and I think right now people are real uncertain about what may happen,” said USAA spokesperson Daniel Diaz.
That means essential government employees continue working, including active-duty military members who serve without pay until Congress reaches a deal.
“Military and federal do some of the most important work, and we want them to be able to stay focused on that work,” Diaz said.
More than 115,000 active-duty service members live across San Diego County, split between the Navy and Marines, according to the San Diego Military Advisory Council.
“The longer this goes, the stakes go higher and higher,” political analyst Thomas Del Beccaro said.
Democratic leaders haven’t budged on their demands to extend some Affordable Care Act subsidies.
“What we will not do is support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of the American people,” said Congressman Hakeem Jeffries.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration remains focused on consolidating the government, saying if the shutdown happens, furloughs could turn into permanent layoffs.
“The president wants to keep the government open,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. “He wants to keep the government funded. There is zero good reason for Democrats to vote against this clean continuing resolution.”
The Bipartisan Policy Center reports the last shut down happened in December 2018 during Trump’s first term, lasting 34 days – the longest in history.
“This could be one of the longer shutdowns, but then again in years past, there’s been a lot of smoke and fire, and then immediate agreements,” Del Beccaro said.
To bridge the gap for impacted service members, USAA says they’re offering zero interest loans equal to the amount of one paycheck to cover monthly expenses.
“We’re serving those who’ve served us,” Diaz said.
San Diego could experience some of the most need with one of the highest populations of military members in the country.
“Military go out of their way to serve us, to support us, now’s our chance to step up for them,” Diaz said.
The Bipartisan Policy Center says there have been 14 government shutdowns since 1980, and now the clock is ticking to prevent another one.
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
