Looks the government shutdown won’t be happening after all. For now. NPR reports that a deal has been reached for a trillion dollar spending bill and the vote is to take place this afternoon. Congressional leaders are also considering an extension bill that would fund the government—-and D.C.—-for two more months before the threat of a shutdown happens again. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) says, “We’ll only do that if what we’re working on doesn’t work out.”
Nice.
For his part, Mayor Vince Gray yesterday released a statement explaining what would happen in D.C. if the government shutdown did occur, based on a contingency plan created in April. While crucial health, safety, and education services would keep running, a number of other services would be suspended:
- Department of Motor Vehicles: All locations will be closed.
- Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs: The permitting and licensing functions will not operate during a shutdown.
- Department of Public Works: Trash collection will not start until one week after shutdown. Street sweeping will be suspended.
- Department of Transportation: DDOT will be operating with a skeleton crew, so routine maintenance and repairs will cease. Emergency repairs will be made.
- Public Libraries: All D.C. libraries will be closed.
Photo by jcolman via Flickr/Creative Commons Attribution Generic 2.0 License