Will Higher Ed Feel the Effects of a Federal Shutdown?
The potential for a government shutdown is growing as the end of the month
—and the federal government’s fiscal year
—draws closer. But even if Congress is unable to continue funding the government, the impact of a shutdown on higher education over all will be minimal, as long as it’s only for a short period of time. By Sept. 30, Congress has to pass a continuing resolution to approve another year of funding for federal departments and agencies. The House passed the bill last Tuesday with only Democratic votes, and the Senate will take a procedural vote on it today. However, the bill will require 60 votes to pass the Senate, and the 50-50 split between the two parties means 10 Republicans will have to support it. That looks unlikely
—Democrats have tied the spending bill to a vote to raise the debt ceiling so that the government can continue borrowing money and avoid defaulting on its loans in mid-October. (
Inside Higher Ed - Sept. 27, 2021)