While members of Congress continue to collect a paycheck, more than 800,000 public employees have been furloughed. The federal government has shut down because today, the start of the new Federal fiscal year, we have no federal budget, and Congress refused to pass a continuing resolution to at least authorize continued operations under the FY '13 budget. Why? because the Republican majority in the House of Representatives, wants to delay the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. The ACA was passed by Congress, signed into law, and upheld by the Supreme Court. So to day, most food inspections will be suspended, our 3,000 airline safety inspectors will be furloughed, veterans waiting for disability benefits will be delayed, paychecks for military personnel will be delayed and 50% of the Defense Department's personnel will be furloughed. The WIC Program (Women Infants & Children nutrition program) could also shut down. If the shut down lasts long enough, disability and pension checks will be delayed for those already in the system. Staff members working for Congress will not be paid, but members will be paid.
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