We’re sharing this chart about when the arguments in Congress have forced a government shutdown. During a shutdown, the following stays open:
- “Emergency personnel” continue to be employed, including the active duty (Title 10) military, federal law enforcement agents, doctors and nurses working in federal hospitals, and air traffic controllers
Members of Congress continue to be paid while they argue. This year, the particular danger is that some extremists in the House have threatened to be willing to force the government to default on its debt. Should that happen, the risks to the U.S. economy, the livelihoods of all Americans, and global financial stability are extreme, including triggering a worldwide recession and more.