Fear of Federal Government Shutdown Dominates Morning Commute

As residents and commuters boarded Metro trains headed into Washington, D.C. on Friday morning, the fear of a Federal Government shutdown dominated conversation.

David Lee, of Vienna, said he is hopeful that a resolution on a budget will come and the shutdown will be averted. He said the United States cannot afford another shutdown like the one in 1995. Lee, an accountant, said the shutdown could cripple the nation’s economy.

“Figure public transportation, museums, restaurants and just about everything else people working for the Federal government in Washington, D.C. spend money on daily, would see tremendous decreases in daily income for however long a possible shutdown would last,” Lee said. “The country is just starting to pull itself up from a recession and this could hamper any progress.”

If the Federal Government does shut down, more than 800,000 employees will be out of work until a budget is agreed upon. In a taped press conference on the White House’s website from Thursday night, President Barack Obama said a few outstanding issues are delaying any sort of agreement.

More than 100,000 federal employees If there is a government shutdown, tax refunds, Social Security claims, disability claims and passports could delay them from being processed. All national parks would also be closed.

While she awaits the government's decision, Joan Evans, of Falls Church, is making tentative plans to travel to New Jersey to be with her sister-in-law and niece. She said her brother, a United States Marine serving abroad, might not have a paycheck to provide for his family.

“This is really crazy that the government isn’t even thinking of how this affects the families of those serving our country,” Evans said outside the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station Friday morning. “My sister-in-law and niece need money for bills and right now our family is planning on how we can provide for them if the government shuts down and my brother’s checks stop coming in.”

Burke Resident John Menke, who boarded the Orange Line Metro at the Dunn Loring-Merrifield station in Vienna, said the looming shutdown wouldn’t affect him. A Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation employee, Menke said his employer falls under the Department of Labor, but his office will be open.

“I think it’s silly what they’re doing,” Menke said as he entered the train station concourse. “We’re not going to be affected. I’ll be at work come Monday morning.”