The American Congress, September 28, 2023 (AFP / Mandel NGAN)
The United States charged headlong toward federal paralysis on Friday, plunging the country into logistical chaos and a political battle with President Biden and Republicans taking turns blaming each other.
Unless an agreement is reached at the last minute, which is now almost impossible, work in the world’s largest economy is expected to be slow from Sunday: 1.5 million civil servants will have their pay withdrawn, air traffic will be disrupted while visitors in National parks have to find their money. Doors must be closed.
“There is still a chance” that the US will escape this, however, the director of the White House Budget Office (OMB), Shalanda Young, wanted to believe on Friday.
“I remain optimistic because we have a day and a half” for Democratic and Republican elected officials in Congress to reach an agreement, she said during the daily White House press briefing.
But neither chamber of Congress – neither the Democratic-controlled Senate nor the Republican-controlled House of Representatives – has yet managed to pass a budget bill to extend the federal budget, which expires at midnight on September 30th.
– Aid to Ukraine, source of tensions –
Almost a year before the presidential election, both camps are blaming each other for this situation, which is very unpopular with Americans.
For Democratic President Joe Biden there is no doubt: the ball is in the Republicans’ court in the House of Representatives.
US President Joe Biden, in Virginia, September 29, 2023 (AFP / SAUL LOEB)
Indeed, the heart of the impasse lies in this chamber: aid to Ukraine, which a handful of Trumpist elected Republicans categorically refuse to link to any financial legislation.
These surrogates of Donald Trump, who have disproportionate power due to the Republicans’ very narrow majority in the House of Representatives, had already brought the United States to the brink of political-financial abyss four months ago on the question of restoring the debt ceiling.
And have been ordered by the former president, who could face Joe Biden in 2024, to “paralyze” the state unless they win their case on “all” budget issues under debate.
– “Shutdown” from 2018 –
Under the presidency of Donald Trump, the United States experienced its longest shutdown in the winter of 2018. According to several estimates, the United States’ GDP had fallen by more than $3 billion at the time.
With less than 40 hours until the deadline, the country is preparing for this new closure of services. Officials were informed of the impending paralysis on Thursday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (c) arrives at the Capitol in Washington on September 21, 2023 (AFP / Andrew Caballero-Reynolds)
In fact, they have to wait until the end of the “shutdown” to receive their salaries. However, some who are considered “essential workers” will be requisitioned, while the others will be banned from accessing their files and emails. The military is also not paid.
Most of America’s famous national parks such as Yosemite and Yellowstone are closing. Significant disruptions are also to be expected in air traffic.
And some recipients of food aid could be temporarily denied it.
In addition to aid to Ukraine, a State Department spokesman also cited risks to funds earmarked for “global humanitarian needs,” aiding the migration crisis or fighting “against malicious actors, particularly in Africa,” warning that this “Threats” means U.S. national security will be compromised and ground will be ceded to China and Russia.”
An official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to speak, told AFP she was worried about the coming weeks and was relying on her husband’s salary to cover ongoing expenses.
“I’ll definitely watch the news. But I will try to focus on my children and spend time with them,” she emphasizes.