Shutdown Showdown
After the House and Senate failed to pass a continuing resolution, the federal government shut down Tuesday at 12:00 a.m. The government is not, however, entirely inoperative under the appropriations lapse.
- Critical national defense functions continue uninterrupted. The Antideficiency Act (31 U.S.C. § 1341) permits several exceptions to a shutdown where the government’s failure to perform an operation would result in an “emergency” involving an imminent threat to the safety of human life or the protection of property. The CIA, FBI, DEA and Customs Service are among those services.
- Background investigations for security clearances remain in operation. They are financed through a revolving fund that is not subject to an annual appropriation.
Pay Our Military Act
On Monday, Congress passed (and the President signed) the “Pay Our Military Act,” H.R. 3210. The new law provides continued pay and allowances for members of the Armed Forces in active service during the appropriations lapse, as well as for the civilians and contractors (as determined by the Secretary of Defense) who provide their direct support. The law could widen coverage for those scheduled for furlough.
“Our lawyers are now looking through the law that the president signed … to see if there’s any margin here, or widening in the interpretation of the law of exempt versus non-exempt civilians,” said Defense Secretary Hagel. “But it’s a priority that we have, that we’re working on right now. It’s, in fact, the priority in our general counsel’s office.”
SENATE
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs
POSTPONED: The committee postponed its 10/1 hearing, “The Navy Yard Tragedy: Examining Government Clearances and Background Checks.” Scheduled to testify were witnesses from Dept. of Defense, Office of Management and Budget, Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Office of Personnel Management. The hearing has not yet been rescheduled.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Monday with members of the committee to discuss the ongoing situation in Iran. According to committee members, the Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for their work to end Iran’s endeavors toward a nuclear weapons program, as well as Congress’ support for continued sanctions.
Read Chairman Menendez’s statement on the meeting
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House Floor
The House passed the “Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act” bill Thursday, which exempts National Guard and Reserve pay and allowances from the government shutdown. The bill is unlikely to pass the Senate as Majority Leader Harry Reid has made clear the Senate expects nothing short of a full-funding bill without additional changes. “All they have to do is accept what we already passed,” Mr. Reid said.
House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
The committee released this FAQ document on how the government shutdown will affect veterans.
