Government Shutdown Looms Large

By Gordon HopkinsThere is little time left to avoid a federal government shutdown. Government funding runs out Sunday, October 1, 12:01 a.m. Washington DC time (11:01 p.m. Saturday night in Nebraska).There are 12 appropriation bills to fund the government.On Tuesday, September 26, the Senate voted to advance a bipartisan, short-term funding measure, 77 to 19. All 19 opponents were Republicans, including Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska.The other senators voting against the bill were:Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.)Mike Braun (Ind.)Katie Britt (Ala.)Ted Budd (N.C.)Ted Cruz (Texas)Steve Daines (Mont.)Bill Hagerty (Tenn.)Josh Hawley (Mo.)Ron Johnson (Wis.)Mike Lee (Utah)Cynthia Lummis (Wyo.)Roger Marshall (Kan.)Rand Paul (Ky.)Eric Schmitt (Mo.)Rick Scott (Fla.)Tommy Tuberville (Ala.)J.D. Vance (Ohio.)Ricketts explained his opposition on social media, “The Senate could have done its part to stop this shutdown mess after the last appropriations bill passed out of committee back in July. Instead, (Senate Majority Leader Chuck) Schumer has contributed to the chaos and brought us to the brink of a shutdown. It’s despicable.”The administration of President Joe Biden, on the other hand, is placing the blame squarely on the shoulders of Republicans. The White House issued a statement last week that read, in part, “Instead of following the bipartisan example of Republicans and Democrats in the Senate, extreme House Republicans continue to demand a reckless laundry list of partisan proposals as a condition of keeping the government open—from an evidence-free impeachment that even some of their own members don’t agree with, to reckless cuts to programs millions of hardworking families and seniors count on, to a litany of other extraneous ideological demands.”The last government shutdown lasted from Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 25, 2019. Spanning 35 days, it was the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.Impact on Ag IndustryWhile local governments are not directly affected by a shutdown, it can have an indirect impact. Jefferson County Attorney Mark Schoenrock explained, “(A) potential federal government shutdown should have minimal effect on Jefferson County government operations although it will potentially affect state government and some of our supporting organizations that depend on federal support and coordination.”However, Nebraska's agricultural industry works closely with federal agencies and could see some impacts.While the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has contingency plans in the event of a lapse in funding, that does not mean all services will continue. USDA offices were closed and staff furloughed during prior shutdowns. That would likely delay federal loans to farmers.Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack recently warned on social media, “In the event of a shutdown, a farmer who needs a marketing assistance loan to lock in profit can't make that loan with no one at @USDA 's Farm Service Agency office to be able to make that loan. Consequently, this leads to a loss of profit and jeopardizes the farming operation.”A shutdown would also mean staff at the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), who inspect drinking water facilities, would be furloughed. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) could be forced to limit inspections of food products.Head StartThe White House also estimates that, “10,000 children across the country would immediately lose access to Head Start, as the Department of Health and Human Services wouldn’t be able to award Head Start Grants during a shutdown.”Shari Weber, CEO of Blue Valley Community Action Partnership, will still have access to funds and, as such, should be able to continue operating.Weber told FJN, “Over the past couple of weeks, Blue Valley Community Action (BVCA) has been receiving information from various funding sources about the potential government shutdown. Most funding sources are projecting that there will more than likely be a shutdown and that we should prepare by drawing down all available funds. The Office of Head Start had a Stand-Up call yesterday (September 25) in which they shared that Head Start should not be impacted as we will still have the capability to draw down funds. On the call they discussed that during a press conference President Biden shared that the shut-down will impact families in Head Start. This statement was clarified as he was referring to grantees that have a fiscal year of 10/1. BVCA’s fiscal year began 5/1 for Head Start 0-5 funding and 9/1 for Early Head Start Childcare Partnership funding. BVCA will be able to continue to serve families with uninterrupted services.”This is a developing story.

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