Shoop: Weekend shutdown ‘tempting’ to some

Budget

Shoop: Weekend shutdown ‘tempting’ to some

Tom Shoop, editor-in-chief of Government Executive, says given the political climate in Congress now, a short-term shutdown over the weekend could play out.

Federal News Network Staff

February 23, 2011 6:48 pm

< a min read

wfedstaff | June 3, 2015 9:33 pm

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Much discussion has been devoted to the chances of a shutdown – but what might a shutdown actually look like if it happens?

Although comparisons have been drawn between now and the last time government shut down in 1995 and 1996, the circumstances are different this time around, said Tom Shoop, editor-in-chief of Government Executive, in an interview with Francis Rose.

Both sides of the political aisle are saying they do not want a shutdown. But Shoop said he thinks some lawmakers may actually want a shutdown.

Conventional wisdom says those calling for a shutdown will face the political fallout later. But, Shoop said, there is a “growing sense on the Republican side that they might not lose this time.”

The current measure funding government expires March 4, which is a Friday. Shoop said it’s possible that government shuts down over the weekend and “not have a huge effect on government.”

“I have a feeling that’s going to be tempting for some people,” Shoop said.

What’s changed since the election is the “enormous influence” of Tea Party members on spending decisions, Shoop said. The hard-line politics of some newly-elected lawmakers are unlikely to waver, he added.