Official Government Shutdown 2023 Thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m really struggling with the anticipation this time. I’ve been a fed more than 10 years so this isn’t my first shutdown, and financially we’re probably in a better position this time around. But the uncertainty, and the fact that this BS is happening again, is really getting to me. Anyone else feeling this way?

I hear you. It just causes unnecessary stress....

Fellow Feds you need some perspective.

I’ve had tons for family and friends who were laid off recently, some still looking for work months later.

We will be paid. It’s law, even for non exempt. Some bills will be delayed; if things go off the rail, you get hardship withdrawal from TSP, but in general we have good job security and never have to go through the layoff grinder (which is awful for those let go and those remaining).

Now if they start pushing out RIFs, feel free to panic.

I’m not panicking. I’m not even worried for our family - I’m worried for the country, and all of the feds, contractors, and others for whom missing one paycheck is a major concern.

What a PP said about it being demoralizing on the heels of the pandemic really resonated with me. Im being asked to work even harder this week to get things over the finish line by Friday. I reached the end of my ability to more with less in 2020.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congress should suspend their own paychecks when they shut down the govt, but they won't.

Wait, Congress gets paid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m really struggling with the anticipation this time. I’ve been a fed more than 10 years so this isn’t my first shutdown, and financially we’re probably in a better position this time around. But the uncertainty, and the fact that this BS is happening again, is really getting to me. Anyone else feeling this way?

Anonymous wrote:Fellow Feds you need some perspective.

I’ve had tons for family and friends who were laid off recently, some still looking for work months later.

We will be paid. It’s law, even for non exempt. Some bills will be delayed; if things go off the rail, you get hardship withdrawal from TSP, but in general we have good job security and never have to go through the layoff grinder (which is awful for those let go and those remaining).

Now if they start pushing out RIFs, feel free to panic.

I think that it's possible to be anxious about the shutdown while also having compassion for folks who have lost their jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m really struggling with the anticipation this time. I’ve been a fed more than 10 years so this isn’t my first shutdown, and financially we’re probably in a better position this time around. But the uncertainty, and the fact that this BS is happening again, is really getting to me. Anyone else feeling this way?

I hear you. It just causes unnecessary stress....

Fellow Feds you need some perspective.

I’ve had tons for family and friends who were laid off recently, some still looking for work months later.

We will be paid. It’s law, even for non exempt. Some bills will be delayed; if things go off the rail, you get hardship withdrawal from TSP, but in general we have good job security and never have to go through the layoff grinder (which is awful for those let go and those remaining).

Now if they start pushing out RIFs, feel free to panic.

No one who replied to PP is panicking (nor is PP). We’re allowed to feel demoralized and frustrated in this situation. This isn’t some kind of hardship contest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Congress should suspend their own paychecks when they shut down the govt, but they won't.

Wait, Congress gets paid?

The 27th Amendment forbids Congress from altering their own compensation mid-term:

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.

I'm sure that it was intended to prevent them from giving themselves raise after raise, but it means that their pay can't be reduced or stopped mid-term, either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Congress should suspend their own paychecks when they shut down the govt, but they won't.

Wait, Congress gets paid?

It depends if their appropriations bill has been enacted, this time it has not so the Leg Branch is also not paid and many staff will be furloughed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congress should suspend their own paychecks when they shut down the govt, but they won't.

It's been tried. First during the debt ceiling debate:
https://spanberger.house.gov/posts/spanberger-fitzpatrick-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-block-congressional-pay-during-defaults-or-shutdowns

And last week for the pending shutdown.
https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-angie-craig-introduces-mccarthy-shutdown-act-stop-member-pay-during#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20DC%20%E2%80%93%20Today%2C%20U.S.,of%20a%20federal%20government%20shutdown.

I love Representative Craig's bill name "Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig introduced the My Constituents Cannot Afford Rebellious Tantrums, Handle Your (MCCARTHY) Shutdown Act to withhold pay for Members of Congress in the case of a federal government shutdown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Congress should suspend their own paychecks when they shut down the govt, but they won't.

Wait, Congress gets paid?

Yes, but apparently the source of funds is in Egypt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m really struggling with the anticipation this time. I’ve been a fed more than 10 years so this isn’t my first shutdown, and financially we’re probably in a better position this time around. But the uncertainty, and the fact that this BS is happening again, is really getting to me. Anyone else feeling this way?

I hear you. It just causes unnecessary stress....

Fellow Feds you need some perspective.

I’ve had tons for family and friends who were laid off recently, some still looking for work months later.

We will be paid. It’s law, even for non exempt. Some bills will be delayed; if things go off the rail, you get hardship withdrawal from TSP, but in general we have good job security and never have to go through the layoff grinder (which is awful for those let go and those remaining).

Now if they start pushing out RIFs, feel free to panic.

+1 during the last shut down the feds in my school community were treated to multiple breakfasts, thousands of dollars worth of gift cards, clothing, gas, free groceries and more. The contractors and non-feds who were also out of work got nothing. The feds ended up getting repaid but the others did not. It left a bad taste in my mouth, and I spoke up about it when it was happening, but my suggestions fell on deaf ears that it should only be feds. So as an outsider, I think I have compassion for feds, especially lower paid employees, but maintain perspective because other people won’t be getting a paycheck at the end of the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m really struggling with the anticipation this time. I’ve been a fed more than 10 years so this isn’t my first shutdown, and financially we’re probably in a better position this time around. But the uncertainty, and the fact that this BS is happening again, is really getting to me. Anyone else feeling this way?

I hear you. It just causes unnecessary stress....

Fellow Feds you need some perspective.

I’ve had tons for family and friends who were laid off recently, some still looking for work months later.

We will be paid. It’s law, even for non exempt. Some bills will be delayed; if things go off the rail, you get hardship withdrawal from TSP, but in general we have good job security and never have to go through the layoff grinder (which is awful for those let go and those remaining).

Now if they start pushing out RIFs, feel free to panic.

No one who replied to PP is panicking (nor is PP). We’re allowed to feel demoralized and frustrated in this situation. This isn’t some kind of hardship contest.

I work with several young professionals who are GS-7s and GS-9s. Their salaries barely cover rent in DC so a missed paycheck is a little stressful. Just remember that not everyone is a GS-15 with 20 years of experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m really struggling with the anticipation this time. I’ve been a fed more than 10 years so this isn’t my first shutdown, and financially we’re probably in a better position this time around. But the uncertainty, and the fact that this BS is happening again, is really getting to me. Anyone else feeling this way?

I hear you. It just causes unnecessary stress....

Fellow Feds you need some perspective.

I’ve had tons for family and friends who were laid off recently, some still looking for work months later.

We will be paid. It’s law, even for non exempt. Some bills will be delayed; if things go off the rail, you get hardship withdrawal from TSP, but in general we have good job security and never have to go through the layoff grinder (which is awful for those let go and those remaining).

Now if they start pushing out RIFs, feel free to panic.

No one who replied to PP is panicking (nor is PP). We’re allowed to feel demoralized and frustrated in this situation. This isn’t some kind of hardship contest.

I work with several young professionals who are GS-7s and GS-9s. Their salaries barely cover rent in DC so a missed paycheck is a little stressful. Just remember that not everyone is a GS-15 with 20 years of experience.

? You realize I’m not the one patronizing “Fellow Feds,” right? I was responding specifically to the person who told us not to panic by pointing out that no one was panicking. I *know* that many young Federal employees get paid bupkis - I supervised recent college grads for years.

Again: it’s not a hardship contest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m really struggling with the anticipation this time. I’ve been a fed more than 10 years so this isn’t my first shutdown, and financially we’re probably in a better position this time around. But the uncertainty, and the fact that this BS is happening again, is really getting to me. Anyone else feeling this way?

Totally agree. This looming shut down is hitting differently. I think because of how insane the Republican Party has gotten and the fact there is a “burn it all down” mentality in Congress. Maybe this will be like past years with an 11th hour CR. But it could also drag on with MAGA supporters riling up their base. Like I don’t trust that our careers or the nations are in the hands of people who actually care about the effects of the shutdown. If a CR comes through to fund the military then we know regular civilian Feds are about to be thrown under the bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m really struggling with the anticipation this time. I’ve been a fed more than 10 years so this isn’t my first shutdown, and financially we’re probably in a better position this time around. But the uncertainty, and the fact that this BS is happening again, is really getting to me. Anyone else feeling this way?

Totally agree. This looming shut down is hitting differently. I think because of how insane the Republican Party has gotten and the fact there is a “burn it all down” mentality in Congress. Maybe this will be like past years with an 11th hour CR. But it could also drag on with MAGA supporters riling up their base. Like I don’t trust that our careers or the nations are in the hands of people who actually care about the effects of the shutdown. If a CR comes through to fund the military then we know regular civilian Feds are about to be thrown under the bus.

Yes, I am just done with the Republican Party sh*tting on government workers. I think it is really hitting me hard this time because I was working for Congress during J6. I couldn’t believe members defended what happened. Now this?! They’re shameless and quite frankly a disgrace to this country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m really struggling with the anticipation this time. I’ve been a fed more than 10 years so this isn’t my first shutdown, and financially we’re probably in a better position this time around. But the uncertainty, and the fact that this BS is happening again, is really getting to me. Anyone else feeling this way?

I hear you. It just causes unnecessary stress....

Fellow Feds you need some perspective.

I’ve had tons for family and friends who were laid off recently, some still looking for work months later.

We will be paid. It’s law, even for non exempt. Some bills will be delayed; if things go off the rail, you get hardship withdrawal from TSP, but in general we have good job security and never have to go through the layoff grinder (which is awful for those let go and those remaining).

Now if they start pushing out RIFs, feel free to panic.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m really struggling with the anticipation this time. I’ve been a fed more than 10 years so this isn’t my first shutdown, and financially we’re probably in a better position this time around. But the uncertainty, and the fact that this BS is happening again, is really getting to me. Anyone else feeling this way?

I hear you. It just causes unnecessary stress....

Fellow Feds you need some perspective.

I’ve had tons for family and friends who were laid off recently, some still looking for work months later.

We will be paid. It’s law, even for non exempt. Some bills will be delayed; if things go off the rail, you get hardship withdrawal from TSP, but in general we have good job security and never have to go through the layoff grinder (which is awful for those let go and those remaining).

Now if they start pushing out RIFs, feel free to panic.

+1.

This. Well-said.