DEADLINE FOR CONGRESSIONAL AGREEMENT IS MONDAY AT MIDNIGHT
by Sharon Rondeau
(Sep. 28, 2013) — On Saturday in the U.S. House of Representatives, debate was heard on crafting an appropriations bill which must be approved by midnight on Monday to prevent a “government shutdown.”
The House of Representatives is constitutionally responsible for raising revenue to run the government and appropriating the revenue throughout the myriad government departments that currently exist.
The House passed an appropriations measure on September 20 which went to the Senate for approval, but on Friday the Senate voted 54-44 to remove the provision which stated that no further funding would be granted to Obamacare, Obama’s health care law which has already cost American workers thousands of working hours and jobs across the country.
Costs of medicines, out-of-pocket expenses and premiums have increased sharply, while the amount parents of special needs children can place in tax-free health savings accounts has been cut in half, from $5,000 to $2,500 yearly.
The Senate sent its version of an appropriations bill back to the House, which is now proposing a one-year delay in the implementation of Obamacare, removing the tax on medical devices which has also driven U.S. jobs overseas, and a separate provision would ensure that members of the military are paid on time.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Obama have said that they will not negotiate on any provisions of Obamacare being delayed. Speaker of the House John Beohner said in response that negotiations “it just doesn’t work that way.”
Obama wants the debt ceiling raised without resistance from Republicans or Democrats. Boehner stated at the end of August that an increase in the debt ceiling would be granted only if “cuts and reforms that are greater than the increase in the debt limit” were to be included.
The U.S. government is nearly $17 trillion in debt.
CNN reports that if the House and Senate do not agree before October 1 on a bill and a “shutdown” occurs, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will close, as will the National Zoo in Washington, DC.
“Presidential appointees” will reportedly continue to report to work.
Federal employees who work to “protect life and property” will continue to be paid.
The agency responsible for administering Obamacare, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) will issue furlough notices to a reported 52% of its employees, while the Department of Justice (DOJ) will furlough 15%.
The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board will be virtually shut down. Unlike the government shutdowns in fiscal year 1996, passport applications will continue to be processed.
House Republicans have reportedly added a provision to their proposal which would “allow employers and insurers to opt out of preventative care for women which they find objectionable on moral or religious grounds.” Many religious groups and employers have objected to funding contraceptives and abortifacients which Obamacare imposed, against their principles and beliefs.
Maybe, like so many companies I have worked for, when they come back from “vacation”, some one else would have taken their jobs for less money! Term Limits, Commoner Insurance Only, Removal Of All Security Protection And Benefits After Leaving Office, etc! Let’s cut ALL the benefits to start and see who starts to work for the American people instead of the cheap fashion show going on in DC along with identity fraud and protecting criminals in suits and dresses.
Shut it down. Fund the military and about 7 percent more of mission critical areas. As for the balance, turn out the lights .