By Dewey Terrill
Little Apple Post
Congressman Derek Schmidt spoke to a Manhattan audience via Zoom on Wednesday on the subject of the federal government shutdown. He told a Military Relations Committee luncheon that he visited with the Office of Management Budget Director on the current situation.
Schmidt noted that most bills will get paid and it is is more of a lapse in appropriations. The House approved measures two weeks ago to continue operations until Nov. 21 but the Senate isn't there yet. "At the end of the fiscal year a small minority of Senators prefer to grind things to a halt." There are 55 votes and five more are still needed in the Senate.
Schmidt noted that the OMB Director indicated that Social Security, Medicare and VA healthcare payments will not be disturbed.
Military training at Fort Riley will continue. Members of the military will eventually get their money and there is a proposed bill to exclude military pay from the shutdown. Also, military appropriations shutdown may temporarily affect some civilian workers.
Those attending the MRC meeting learned that the community may see reduced access to support programs, local businesses may see reduced traffic and certain events may have to be postponed.The Fort Riley Commissary is on normal operations right now. Dining facilities are a priority for service members. Emergency services will not be cut off.