Preparing for fed gov’t shutdown

The Defense Department was preparing this week for a potential federal government shutdown with only days remaining for Congress to approve FY 2016’s federal budget through either full-year funding or periodic continuing resolutions (CR). DOD spokesman Peter Cook invoked hope Sept. 23 that lawmakers would strike a deal before the end of Sept. 30; and insisted the situation wasn’t dire enough to warn federal civilian workers of potential fallout. A shutdown would have a significant impact on DOD and would likely suspend some government services, although DOD declined specific details. The last shutdown was in 2013. It temporarily sent home more than 800,000 federal employees – 400,000 DOD workers - without pay. (Source: Stars & Stripes 09/23/15) Central Mississippi Note: The U.S. Senate was to consider a CR on Sept. 24 that would keep the entire federal government funded through Dec. 11 and provide about $75 billion for the military's overseas war fund. That resolution would give Congress 72 days to come up with appropriations bills, according to Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.