Politics & Government

Federal Shutdown Fears Dominate Commute

'Why can't those politicians get their act together?'

Outside the Medical Center Metro station in Bethesda on Friday, Bernadette Wilson was certain politicians should be ashamed they can't reach a decision on the budget.

Wilson, a retired office administrator who lives in Silver Spring, said she has friends and family members who work for the federal government and hopes for the best for all of them.

"I think it’s awful that it has come to this," Wilson said. "It doesn’t affect me directly, but for the people I know who are employed by the federal government, I hope an agreement is reached soon."

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If the government does shut down, more than 800,000 employees across the country will be out of work until a budget is crafted. In a press conference on the White House’s website from Thursday night, President Barack Obama warned that a government shutdown could delay tax refunds, Social Security claims, disability claims and passports applications. All national parks would also be closed.

Oscar Middleton of Rockville said he feels especially bad for the men and women of the military. He said the government should think of their sacrifice.

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"Many of the soldiers abroad have families that depend on the paychecks from their loved ones and if the shutdown happens, what will happen to those families?" Middleton asked. "Why can't those politicians just get their act together and think of those brave men and women?"

A government shutdown would make travel easier in the morning, said Quan Harris of Gaithersburg, but that wouldn't be a good thing for those who would be furloughed and out of work. Harris, who was laid off in June of 2009 and just started working again late October 2010, said he knows what it’s like to be out of work when it’s no fault of your own.

"I don’t want to see anyone out of work. It's a low feeling," Harris said. "The best thing would be for the government to work something out to make sure their employees have a place to show up to next week."


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