Government readies staff for looming shutdown

Without an agreement in congress, funding for much of the federal government will expire at midnight on Saturday.

The US Capitol as a government shut down looms. Picture: AFP

The US government began to inform workers on Thursday of an impending shutdown in which millions of federal employees and military personnel could be sent home or working without pay temporarily unless congress reaches a deal.

Without an agreement, funding for much of the federal government will expire at midnight on Saturday, threatening disruptions to everything from air travel to benefit payments, and – if the shutdown endures – dealing a further blow to the economy.

The stand-off has been triggered by a small group of hardline Republicans who have pushed back against short-term funding deals while congress tries to resolve a broader deadlock over calls for deep spending cuts.

Some federal employees already have been informed of preparations for a lapse, according to a notice seen by AFP. A note to staff at the Department of Health and Human Services outlined how it would see “reduced staffing across nearly every division for the duration of the lapse” although many key programs will continue.

Staff at other agencies were understood to have received similar notifications. In a shutdown, members of the military and other employees deemed to be essential would continue working without pay.

AFP