Pictures: The People Hurt by a Shutdown
From soldiers to tourists, these groups will suffer if the federal government stops working
As the budget debate rages on inside the Capitol and the White House, those outside the discussion wonder how their lives will be affected should compromise fail. From government employees to tourists, we take a look at those most likely to feel the slam of the federal government's doors should they awake to a shutdown this weekend.
Military Personnel
An official familiar with the government's planning told Foreign Policy magazine that all uniformed military personnel would continue to work but would stop receiving paychecks in the event of a shutdown. Soldiers could expect to get their pay back, and because April 8 falls in the middle of the Defense Department's two-week pay period, would probably receive a check for the normal amount anyway. However, civilians working for the Pentagon may be furloughed without pay until the shutdown ends.
Though many of the possible consequences to a shutdown are in dispute, this one is nearly certain: National Parks, such as Yellowstone in Wyoming, would close.
An administration official told National Journal on Wednesday that Federal Housing Administration home loan guarantees may cease in a shutdown.
About two-thirds of the State department would be furloughed and diplomats would only be only be able to travel "if it is integral to the foreign relations and safety and security of the country," according to an official who spoke to Foreign Policy. Above, the U.S. ambassador to Russia, John Beyrle, speaks in Moscow on February 25.
National museums, such as the National Portrait Gallery, shown here, would be closed during a government shutdown. A senior administration official also told National Journal that the cherry blossom parade, scheduled for this weekend, would be cancelled.