Congress Reaches Deal on Six Month Stop-Gap Spending Measure to Avoid Shutdown
Thursday, August 2, 2012(National Federation of Federal Employees)
Good
news, federal employees: It appears we will not
have another government shutdown scare when the
fiscal year expires on September 30,
2012.
According to Government
Executive, Congressional leaders
from both parties have agreed to a six month
stop-gap spending measure to keep the
government funded through March of 2013.
Spokespersons for both the Democrats and
Republicans suggest the measure will be crafted
during Congress’s month-long August recess and
come up for a vote during September's eight-day
legislative calendar.
This is
welcome news for federal employees who have
seen their fair share of political wrangling
over funding the government in recent years.
For the time being, it appears the games of
political chicken over the federal budget will
be set aside.
“This is a good development for federal employees,” said NFFE Legislative Director Randy Erwin. “Every time there is a credible threat of a government shutdown, certain members Congress take the opportunity to demand reduced pay and benefits from federal employees as a concession to break the log-jam. The threat federal workers face isn’t going away, but at least a government shutdown isn’t looming on top of everything else going into the November elections and a crowded lame duck session of Congress that will follow.”