How A Government Shut Down Will Affect You

NewsOn6.com & Dan Bewley, News On 6

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The deadline is looming for lawmakers to strike a deal on a budget or the federal government will run out of money and temporarily shut down.

Congress has a deadline of 11 p.m. Central Time Friday.

Democrats blame Republicans for the stand-still saying the GOP wants to cut funding for women's reproductive health, but Republicans say that has nothing to do with it.

"There's only one reason that we do not have an agreement just yet, and that reason is spending," said Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner.

Watch President Obama discuss the on-going budget issues

"My understanding from almost all the parties involved is that we've reached an agreement on a number," said Rep. Steny Hoyer. "The only thing that seems to be hanging us up now is the president has made it very clear he's not going to cut services for women's health."

The impact of a government shut down would be felt nationwide.

There are 4.4 million government employees; 80 percent of them are considered essential, such as members of the military or homeland security. They would continue to work but without pay.

The other 20 percent of government employees are non-essential and they would go on furlough until an agreement is reached.

It's that 20 percent that could cause problems.

• National Parks will close
• Customs officers will be furloughed.
• The IRS would close and while taxes would still be due April 18th, paper tax returns would be suspended.
• Loans would also be suspended from the Small Business Administration and for FHA home loans.
• Social Security Administration employees would be furloughed but checks will continue to be disbursed.
• USDA and FDA inspections will slow

House Republicans want to fund the military through September and the rest of the government for one more week. But President Obama and his fellow Democrats oppose that bill because it also has $12 billion in new cuts.

4/8/2011 Related Story: Oklahoma Serviceman: Government Shutdown Already Impacting Pay

"I'm disappointed we haven't been able to get something done to this point but I am pleased we're still working on getting there," Senator Harry Reid (D), Majority Leader, said Thursday.

4/8/2011 Related Story: Oklahoma Unemployment Benefits Unaffected As Federal Government Shutdown Looms