5 ms·

Isn't the federal government supposed to be shut down right now?

mpyne 13y ago
The government still exists, but there's no legal authority for many (but not all) of the federal employees to do work for the government, since there is no appropriation in force to pay for that work. Those who are working are essentially working for the promise of payment at some indefinite time in the future (except for the military, who apparently really are a sacred cow...).
- rprospero 13y ago
  Government employee here. Many of us aren't working on the promise of payment - we've already been paid. My salary was already "paid" two years ago. Congress passed a bill, the president signed it, and the DOE gave us the money. Now, if the government shutdown lasts until May, we'll probably be out of that money then I'd stop receiving paychecks. Of course, I hope to have a new job by that point, anyway.
  - mpyne 13y ago
    Are you a government employee, or a contractor? I know that there are some persons paid for by multi-year appropriation bills, but those are comparatively rare. Most expenditures are handled via a single-FY appropriation (and my understanding is that this covers all APF employees). If you're a contractor, on the other hand, then you're not a government employee (legally), so the whole discussion doesn't apply to you directly.
67726e 13y ago
Only the good, useful agencies. The normal, shitty, "Fuck the Constitution" government is still open for business.
_delirium 13y ago
Government shutdowns are done in a way that retains a certain subset of services that are either paid for through unaffected funding mechanisms, or have been designated essential. That includes soldiers' salaries, payments to military contractors, operations of the FBI and DEA, and small to medium-sized portions of other agencies (e.g. the EPA is mostly shut down, but the Superfund and Mine Safety divisions will stay open).
betterunix 13y ago
"Essential" services are kept running. Throwing people in prison for selling drugs is essential, as it turns out, as is making press releases about it.
damontal 13y ago
Why the hell do I keep seeing this question asked? Do people really think that law enforcement will stop because of the shutdown?

mpyne 13y ago

The government still exists, but there's no legal authority for many (but not all) of the federal employees to do work for the government, since there is no appropriation in force to pay for that work. Those who are working are essentially working for the promise of payment at some indefinite time in the future (except for the military, who apparently really are a sacred cow...).

rprospero 13y ago
Government employee here. Many of us aren't working on the promise of payment - we've already been paid. My salary was already "paid" two years ago. Congress passed a bill, the president signed it, and the DOE gave us the money. Now, if the government shutdown lasts until May, we'll probably be out of that money then I'd stop receiving paychecks. Of course, I hope to have a new job by that point, anyway.
- mpyne 13y ago
  Are you a government employee, or a contractor? I know that there are some persons paid for by multi-year appropriation bills, but those are comparatively rare. Most expenditures are handled via a single-FY appropriation (and my understanding is that this covers all APF employees). If you're a contractor, on the other hand, then you're not a government employee (legally), so the whole discussion doesn't apply to you directly.

67726e 13y ago

Only the good, useful agencies. The normal, shitty, "Fuck the Constitution" government is still open for business.

_delirium 13y ago

Government shutdowns are done in a way that retains a certain subset of services that are either paid for through unaffected funding mechanisms, or have been designated essential. That includes soldiers' salaries, payments to military contractors, operations of the FBI and DEA, and small to medium-sized portions of other agencies (e.g. the EPA is mostly shut down, but the Superfund and Mine Safety divisions will stay open).

betterunix 13y ago

"Essential" services are kept running. Throwing people in prison for selling drugs is essential, as it turns out, as is making press releases about it.

damontal 13y ago

Why the hell do I keep seeing this question asked? Do people really think that law enforcement will stop because of the shutdown?