A government shutdown harms millions of small businesses. Whether they do business with the federal government, rely on critical programs or are part of infrastructure supporting national parks, the effects are far-reaching.
It’s time for Congress to end this unnecessary crisis. Rather than trying to score political points by holding the country hostage, both parties should pass a clean continuing resolution that includes all the President’s proposals for funding border security and disaster relief.
Shutdowns disrupt the efficiency and effectiveness of agency operations. They put jobs and paychecks at risk, and they jeopardize public services like air traffic control, disaster response, rental assistance, social-security benefits, and food safety inspections.
A shutdown hurts the economy and disproportionately hits working families. It also reduces access to services and pulls billions from local economies.
NSBA is joining millions of Americans in calling on Congress to keep the government open. We must avoid a costly and disruptive shutdown that will affect the work of thousands of hard-working men and women and damage America’s competitiveness at home and abroad.
The Trump Administration’s threat to fire federal workers during a government shutdown is not only cruel, it violates the law. Government lawyers have said that judges and members of Congress can continue to perform their duties even if the appropriations bills that fund them lapse.
Moreover, it’s not clear what the impact will be on agencies’ ability to function. They may be able to keep their doors open if they can use previously appropriated funds or if they have income from fees that they can continue to collect during a lapse. However, this will require extensive advance planning.
