LOOMING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN! As Congress fails to reach agreement on funding bills or a continuing resolution, the federal government is on the brink of shutting down at midnight tonight. A major question point of disagreement is whether a deal can be reached on health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.

Black Virginia News podcast 57 features Virginia U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott and Jennifer McClellan discussing the state of play hours before midnight. This podcast also includes audio of House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke.

If a shutdown takes effect, hundreds of thousands of federal employees could be furloughed, while many “essential” personnel would be required to work without pay until funding is restored. Key agencies, such as Health and Human Services, are preparing to cut a significant share of their workforce, jeopardizing critical functions like public health monitoring and research.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has instructed agencies to draft plans for not only furloughs but possible permanent job cuts via “reduction in force” if the impasse continues.

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