Source: Tribune Content Agency
On Saturday, Sept 30., Congress passed a temporary spending bill, narrowly avoiding a government shutdown for the time being.
A government shutdown leads to widespread struggle for those who rely on government financially.
Signing this bill into effect guaranteed work and pay for federal employees, as well as stability for many SXU students.
The spending bill was signed by Biden just before the deadline of Sunday, Oct. 1, at 12:01 a.m.
If this hadn’t happened, many services such as national parks and museums would have stopped services within the first week, if not immediately. The Senate created a bipartisan bill to keep the government open until Nov. 17, giving the House more time to come to an agreement on spending decisions.
With the Fall 2023 semester underway, federal aid funds have already been distributed, meaning a shutdown wouldn’t have had any immediate consequences. However, if it had persisted, many students would have felt the blowback in large ways.
While there is a contingency plan for the distribution of federal aid for the Spring 2024 semester, the introduction of the new, simplified FAFSA has already delayed availability from to December. With no employees working on the form, it could have been delayed further, affecting when students will receive the aid they need.
Resources for veteran students would also have been inaccessible for a time, as there would have been no one to process their benefits. Many people join the military to afford college, and if a government shutdown were to occur, they would be unable to receive the funds and privileges they fought for.
Without the Office Of Homeland Security, international students would be at risk of losing their ability to study in America. If their visas are expired and they leave the U.S., they will be denied re-entry. With the holidays approaching, this would force many students to either pay to remain in their dorm or risk not being able to continue their studies.
A government shutdown would also impact commuters and residents alike, as infrastructure projects and food inspection would be disrupted or put on hold. Chicago traffic is already difficult to navigate, and without upkeep of its infrastructure, commuters will find it difficult to get to and from campus.
Likewise, many SXU residents rely on their meal plans to feed them and provide them with groceries. Without the FDA’s inspection and approval, there would either be shortages in food or an increase in potentially harmful food being put into circulation. With the passing of a spending bill, Congress was able to come up with a solution, giving both parties more time to come to an agreement on how to allocate funds.
The impending shutdown ultimately hinged on America’s involvement in the Russo-Ukranian War. Democrats in the House want to continue providing aid to Ukraine, proposing that the Department of Defense (DOD) be given more than six billion dollars in emergency funding to support the warring nation and refill the U.S. military inventory.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has been working to unite both parties and avoid a shutdown, but the opposing members of the House have proved stubborn when it comes to making cuts. Congressman Danny Davis, representing the 7th district of Illinois, stated “I’m not prepared to cut where there is no room to cut. If all you do is cut, cut, cut, all you get is blood, blood, blood.”
Similarly, President Biden stated that the government “cannot under any circumstances allow American support for Ukraine to be interrupted” showing his synergy with the rest of his party.
With the House Of Representatives in a scramble and the nation on the edge, only time will tell whether Congress will come to a more concrete resolution. All that can be done is to hope that they can put their differences aside for the benefit of the nation, and the Saint Xavier community.