By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
As the federal government shutdown entered its third day on Monday, the impact on Americans is expected to become more clear as the new work week begins.
Nearly half of the federal government’s 2 million civilian are expected to be furloughed until Republicans and Democrats break an impasse over President Trump’s spending plan.
Despite Trump’s claim on Twitter over the weekend that the shutdown jeopardizes Americans’ safety, a vast majority of the military and federal law enforcement will continue working because they are considered essential to public safety. Most employees who work for the FBI, Justice Department, TSA, Border Patrol and other federal law enforcement won’t be furloughed.
While some department such as HUD and EPA will require more than 90% of its employees to stay home until the shutdown ends, only about 17% of Justice Department workers will be required to take off work. But many of those employees may be asked to work without payt.
The shutdown also won’t affect the special counsel investigation of possible collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia.
Democrats and Republicans are expected to meet again Monday to reach a compromise to end the shutdown.
On Saturday, Trump accused Democrats of endangering Americans in favor of protecting illegal immigrants. But as Trump tweeted during President Obama’s shutdown in 2013, the impact of shutdowns are minimal.
