Government headed to shutdown

Political Editor Christina Bellantoni writes:

It’s after midnight, and it’s official. Congress is still working on a continuing resolution to fund the government from Tuesday on, but at least a partial shutdown is now inevitable. The House has votes scheduled on its latest plan, which is not, as President Barack Obama and Senate Democrats requested, a “clean” funding bill for government services.

Instead, House Republicans have insisted on their health care law changes and are requesting for the Senate to appoint budget conferees to negotiate the differences between the two pieces of legislation. Senate Democrats say they will only negotiate on a bill that does not include any policy changes, and point out they have been requesting conferees on the budget blueprints passed by each chamber since April.

What does it all mean? They might still work out a solution in the wee hours this evening. But just like Gremlins, the witching hour is on Washington.

The Office of Management and Budget just issued this release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Due to the failure of Congress to enact appropriations for fiscal year 2014, Office of Management and Budget Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell tonight issued the following guidance to agencies directing them to execute their plans for an orderly shutdown of the Federal government:

September 30, 2013

M-13-24

MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

FROM: Sylvia M. Burwell

Director

SUBJECT: Update on Status of Operations

This memorandum follows the September 17, 2013, Memorandum M-13-22, and provides an update on the potential lapse of appropriations.

Appropriations provided under the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 (P.L. 113-6) expire at 11:59 pm tonight. Unfortunately, we do not have a clear indication that Congress will act in time for the President to sign a Continuing Resolution before the end of the day tomorrow, October 1, 2013. Therefore, agencies should now execute plans for an orderly shutdown due to the absence of appropriations. We urge Congress to act quickly to pass a Continuing Resolution to provide a short-term bridge that ensures sufficient time to pass a budget for the remainder of the fiscal year, and to restore the operation of critical public services and programs that will be impacted by a lapse in appropriations.
Agencies should continue to closely monitor developments, and OMB will provide further guidance as appropriate. We greatly appreciate your cooperation and the work you and your agencies do on behalf of the American people.
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