US Government Shutdown ahead. By gguy/stock.adobe.com
NOTE: For my response to yesterday’s tragic shooting in Michigan, please see my website article, “Attack on Michigan church leaves at least four dead.”
President Trump will meet with the top four congressional leaders at the White House today, one day before the deadline to fund the federal government or face a shutdown on Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. ET. The White House warned yesterday that thousands of government jobs could be cut if lawmakers don’t reach a deal.
Federal agencies cannot spend or obligate money without approval from Congress. When Congress fails to enact the twelve annual appropriations bills, agencies must cease all non-essential functions until Congress acts. If Congress enacts some but not all of the twelve appropriations bills, those without appropriations have to shut down (a “partial shutdown”).
Why should you care?
What will happen and not happen
If Congress fails to fund the government before the fiscal year ends on September 30, here’s what will continue:
- Members of Congress will be paid (per the 27th Amendment) and US Capitol Police and security operations will not be affected.
- Transportation Security Administration agents and air traffic controllers must continue working, but they would do so without pay.
- Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid would continue to run, though some services may be cut back.
- Veteran services will continue, though services outside the health system could be delayed.
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, would continue, but benefits could be impacted after thirty days.
In addition, “non-essential” activities at the Capitol will cease:
- Formal Capitol tours will be cancelled.
- The flag operation, where constituents may request an American flag be flown above the Capitol, will be suspended.
- Restaurants and barber shops will likely close.
- Garbage won’t be collected.
- National parks would close.
The House of Representatives has approved a continuing resolution that would fund the government through November 21. However, Republicans in the Senate control only fifty-three of the sixty votes needed to approve such a resolution, and Democrats say they won’t support such a bill unless Republicans agree to extend expiring subsidies for Affordable Care Act premiums, among other things.
When Jefferson refused to help Adams
As usual, both sides are blaming the other side for this state of affairs. Both are expressing their willingness to allow the government to partially shut down rather than give the other side what it wants, and both are planning to blame the other for the consequences.
This seems frustratingly counterintuitive: we elect leaders to represent our interests, but they are willing to allow government services that serve us to lapse in order to score political points. But they wouldn’t say it that way; in their view, the other side is dangerous to the future of the nation, so short-term losses that prevent greater long-term losses are regrettable but necessary.
This is nothing new for American politics. As Joseph Ellis notes in Founding Brothers, his Pulitzer Prize-winning history of the founding era, the first contested election in our history saw a very similar outcome. In 1796, John Adams was the leader of the Federalists, who advocated for a strong central government in service of the new republic. Thomas Jefferson was the leader of the Republicans, who fought for a limited national government and expanded autonomy for states and individuals.
Adams came in first in the vote, followed by Jefferson. In the process of the day, this made Adams the president and Jefferson the vice-president. Adams asked Jefferson to work with him in leading the nation, but Jefferson and his party refused, sitting on the sidelines and hoping Adams’ administration would fail. Their strategy worked: Jefferson defeated Adams in the next election, essentially ending the Federalists as a national party.
Why wealth is like sea water
As you know, our government was created to “secure” our individual rights to “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” But our Constitution nowhere states how these rights should be defined. It is therefore unsurprising that political parties would arise to advance their constituents’ views on the issues we face, and that these parties would view the other side as dangerous to the common good as they see it.
Whatever comes of the current shutdown threat, in a political environment as closely divided as ours, we can expect similar threats in the future.
I understand why such battles are so heated in a secularized culture where material goods and financial outcomes are so highly prioritized. But as Br. David Vryhof of the Society of St. John the Evangelist in Boston reminds us,
There is a Roman proverb that says that wealth is like seawater. Instead of quenching a person’s thirst, it only intensifies it. The more we get, the more we want.
The columnist Art Buchwald was right: “The things that matter most are not things.” Accordingly, as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe reportedly observed, “Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.”
Americans should be grateful to live in a country where we are free to pursue the “things which matter most” to us. For Christians, this means maximizing our constitutional freedom in the service of spiritual freedom. Our purpose as Christians must be to lead people to Christ. Everything we do is to be a means to this end. What John the Baptist said of Jesus is to be our motto and mantra: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
This is because only Jesus can give us the life, liberty, and happiness our Republic was founded to enable. Only he can bestow eternal life, liberty from sin, and happiness in the midst of challenges. Only he can change our sinful hearts and unite us in a love for others that transcends political divides. Only he can lead our nation into our best future.
“I forgive the man who killed my father”
If you doubt the power of the gospel to change lives, consider this ABC News headline: “Tim Allen says Erika Kirk inspired him to forgive the man who killed his father.” The comedian’s father was killed by a drunk driver more than six decades ago. Last week, he posted on X:
When Erika Kirk spoke the words on the man who killed her husband: “That man . . . that young man . . . I forgive him.” That moment deeply affected me. I have struggled for over 60 years to forgive the man who killed my Dad. I will say those words now as I type: “I forgive the man who killed my father.” Peace be with you all.
Who will hear—and see—the gospel of forgiving grace from you today?
Quote for the day:
“Whenever the gospel is preached, it is as if Christ himself came into the midst of us.” —John Calvin
Our latest website resources:
- James Comey indicted by a grand jury on two counts
- Kamala Harris, “107 Days,” and the judgment of God
- Healing through rest: Embracing self-care instead of self-medication. An excerpt from “Live Beyond Your Label” by Erin Kerry
- Three people killed at ICE facility in Dallas: The logic behind illogical violence
- Jimmy Kimmel, free speech debate, Erika Kirk forgives, rapture thoughts, Tylenol update & a huge sports weekend
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