News article: The United States on the verge of federal state paralysis
The United States is currently plunged into a real political and logistical crisis, heading straight towards a paralysis of the federal state. Last Friday, President Joe Biden and the Republicans blamed each other for this situation which is plunging the country into unprecedented chaos.
Barring a last-minute miracle, it is almost inevitable that the world’s largest economy will slow down from October 1. As a result, 1.5 million civil servants will be left without pay, air traffic will be disrupted and visitors to national parks will face closed doors.
Although White House Budget Office Director Shalanda Young remains optimistic that a last-minute deal could be reached, time is running out. Congressional Democrats and Republicans must find common ground before the midnight deadline of September 30, but neither chamber has managed to pass a budget bill to extend the federal budget.
This standoff between the two political parties is all the more worrying in the run-up to next year’s presidential elections. Each camp blames the other, which adds to the unpopularity of the situation with Americans.
For Joe Biden, the fault lies with the Republicans in the House of Representatives. This chamber is in fact the sticking point, with a group of Trumpist Republican elected officials who categorically refuse to link any finance law to aid to Ukraine. These allies of Donald Trump received orders from the former president to “paralyze” the federal state, unless they obtain satisfaction on all current budget files.
The country is already preparing for a closure of services. Civil servants were informed of the suspension of their salaries until the end of the paralysis. Only essential workers will be requisitioned, while others will be denied access to their files and emails. The military, for their part, will not be paid.
Famous American national parks, such as Yellowstone and Yosemite, will close their doors, and air traffic will be severely disrupted. Some food aid recipients may also be temporarily denied assistance.
In addition to the direct consequences on the American population, this paralysis of the federal state endangers the national security of the United States. Indeed, funds dedicated to global humanitarian needs, combating bad actors in Africa, and aiding the migration crisis could be compromised, allowing China and Russia to gain ground.
This situation worries many civil servants, who will have to rely on their spouse’s salary to meet their daily needs. Despite everything, they remain determined to focus on their family and enjoy this forced free time.
In conclusion, the United States is on the verge of facing a new paralysis of the federal state, caused by the inability of Democrats and Republicans to reach an agreement on the budget. This political and logistical crisis will have disastrous consequences on many aspects of American life, jeopardizing the country’s national security.