Congress gets paid, but who's keeping their paycheck?
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- While more than 800,000 federal workers, including some congressional staffers, are being furloughed during the government shutdown, members of Congress are still getting paid, as required by law.But some members of the House and Senate--the very bodies that failed to prevent the shutdown--are giving away their salary in solidarity.CNN reached out to all 533 current members of Congress about their paycheck plans.As of Thursday at 11:15 a.m., the tally showed 25 senators are donating to charity or the Treasury Department, while four are not accepting a paycheck and two are undecided.One senator, Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, told CNN that he plans to keep his salary and "spend it and tithe it and give to it charities and do the things that I've always done."In the House, 40 representatives say they're donating to charity or the Treasury, while 47 are not accepting a paycheck and one is undecided.Four House members, however, say they're keeping their salary-- Rep.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- While more than 800,000 federal workers, including some congressional staffers, are being furloughed during the government shutdown, members of Congress are still getting paid, as required by law.But some members of the House and Senate--the very bodies that failed to prevent the shutdown--are giving away their salary in solidarity.CNN reached out to all 533 current members of Congress about their paycheck plans.As of Thursday at 11:15 a.m., the tally showed 25 senators are donating to charity or the Treasury Department, while four are not accepting a paycheck and two are undecided.One senator, Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, told CNN that he plans to keep his salary and "spend it and tithe it and give to it charities and do the things that I've always done."In the House, 40 representatives say they're donating to charity or the Treasury, while 47 are not accepting a paycheck and one is undecided.Four House members, however, say they're keeping their salary-- Rep.
The government shutdown: Americans on the edge
(CNN) -- For some, it's an emotional punch to the gut.
(CNN) -- For some, it's an emotional punch to the gut.
NASA grounded by government shutdown
(CNN) -- Two U.S. astronauts in space, and their support staffs on Earth, will keep working through the government shutdown that began Tuesday.But almost all the rest of NASA has been shuttered, just one of many federal agencies affected when the government shut down at midnight Tuesday because of Congress' inability to pass a budget.Many of those agencies took to social media and other online venues to share the news.
(CNN) -- Two U.S. astronauts in space, and their support staffs on Earth, will keep working through the government shutdown that began Tuesday.But almost all the rest of NASA has been shuttered, just one of many federal agencies affected when the government shut down at midnight Tuesday because of Congress' inability to pass a budget.Many of those agencies took to social media and other online venues to share the news.
Trip to Washington, D.C. cancelled for Racine County students
WATERFORD (WITI) -- Every year, the eighth graders at St.
WATERFORD (WITI) -- Every year, the eighth graders at St.
Debt ceiling fears hit stocks, investors grow nervous
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- It's day 2 of the government shutdown.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- It's day 2 of the government shutdown.
Jobs report could be delayed amid government shutdown
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Labor Department officials will still not confirm or deny whether the government's monthly jobs report will be released as scheduled Friday, but other signs point to a delay amid the government shutdown.Since the recession, the monthly report has become the most closely watched indicator on the economy, with the first Friday of each month often being dubbed "Jobs Friday."The information is so sensitive, that when it's released, reporters who write about it are locked in a windowless room without internet or phone access until 8:30 a.m. on the dot, to prevent the information from getting to investors even a millisecond too soon.The report is also of particular importance this month, as the Federal Reserve monitors the unemployment rate to decide when to slow its stimulus program.The Bureau of Labor Statistics compiles the report each month based on surveys of about 60,000 households and 145,000 businesses and government agencies.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Labor Department officials will still not confirm or deny whether the government's monthly jobs report will be released as scheduled Friday, but other signs point to a delay amid the government shutdown.Since the recession, the monthly report has become the most closely watched indicator on the economy, with the first Friday of each month often being dubbed "Jobs Friday."The information is so sensitive, that when it's released, reporters who write about it are locked in a windowless room without internet or phone access until 8:30 a.m. on the dot, to prevent the information from getting to investors even a millisecond too soon.The report is also of particular importance this month, as the Federal Reserve monitors the unemployment rate to decide when to slow its stimulus program.The Bureau of Labor Statistics compiles the report each month based on surveys of about 60,000 households and 145,000 businesses and government agencies.
GOP congressman: Tackle shutdown, debt ceiling at same time
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Congress could kill two birds with one stone by ending the government shutdown and raising the debt ceiling all at once, a Republican congressman from New York said Wednesday."There is a strong possibility, if were willing to sit down and listen to us, that we would put a package together and solve the problems at once: stop the government shutdown and deal with the debt ceiling," Rep.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Congress could kill two birds with one stone by ending the government shutdown and raising the debt ceiling all at once, a Republican congressman from New York said Wednesday."There is a strong possibility, if were willing to sit down and listen to us, that we would put a package together and solve the problems at once: stop the government shutdown and deal with the debt ceiling," Rep.
RNC offers to pay for World War II memorial guards
(CNN) -- The Republican National Committee is offering the United States government a check to pay for guards at the National World War II Memorial, chairman Reince Priebus announced Wednesday."We're willing to pay the bill," said Priebus, who was speaking to reporters as he stood in front of a fence at the memorial.The memorial had been the site of a dramatic encounter Tuesday between visiting World War II veterans and a fence erected to keep visitors out.
(CNN) -- The Republican National Committee is offering the United States government a check to pay for guards at the National World War II Memorial, chairman Reince Priebus announced Wednesday."We're willing to pay the bill," said Priebus, who was speaking to reporters as he stood in front of a fence at the memorial.The memorial had been the site of a dramatic encounter Tuesday between visiting World War II veterans and a fence erected to keep visitors out.
Pres. Obama, congressional leaders talk about shutdown
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Barack Obama has invited congressional leaders to the White House on Wednesday to discuss the need to reopen the government and raise the federal debt ceiling, according to the White House and a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner.The meeting comes on the second day of a government shutdown caused by a stalemate over the insistence of House Republicans to include provisions to dismantle or delay Obamacare with a short-term spending measure needed to fund the government in the new fiscal year that started Tuesday.Boehner and other Republicans have complained that Obama and Democrats refuse to negotiate on the health care reforms, which expanded this week when government exchanges to purchase private health coverage opened on Tuesday.Brendan Buck, a spokesman for Boehner, confirmed the Obama meeting was set for 5:30 p.m. ET."We're pleased the president finally recognizes that his refusal to negotiate is indefensible," Buck said. "It's unclear why we'd be having this meeting if it's not meant to be a start to serious talks between the two parties."Obama and his party accuse Republicans of trying to extort them into defunding or delaying Obamacare by using as leverage the need to fund the government and increase the Treasury's capacity to borrow money to pay U.S. bills.A White House official signaled Obama's opposition to negotiating amid a government shutdown remained unchanged, saying the president's message at his meeting with House and Senate leaders will be for Congress to pass a "clean" funding plan and debt ceiling measure with no Obamacare provisions attached.Shutdown means furloughs for up to 800,000With up to 800,000 federal workers facing life without a paycheck, the GOP-led House planned new votes Wednesday on piecemeal spending measures that would fund specific popular programs such as veterans affairs and national parks.The incremental approach pushed by tea party conservatives led by Sen.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Barack Obama has invited congressional leaders to the White House on Wednesday to discuss the need to reopen the government and raise the federal debt ceiling, according to the White House and a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner.The meeting comes on the second day of a government shutdown caused by a stalemate over the insistence of House Republicans to include provisions to dismantle or delay Obamacare with a short-term spending measure needed to fund the government in the new fiscal year that started Tuesday.Boehner and other Republicans have complained that Obama and Democrats refuse to negotiate on the health care reforms, which expanded this week when government exchanges to purchase private health coverage opened on Tuesday.Brendan Buck, a spokesman for Boehner, confirmed the Obama meeting was set for 5:30 p.m. ET."We're pleased the president finally recognizes that his refusal to negotiate is indefensible," Buck said. "It's unclear why we'd be having this meeting if it's not meant to be a start to serious talks between the two parties."Obama and his party accuse Republicans of trying to extort them into defunding or delaying Obamacare by using as leverage the need to fund the government and increase the Treasury's capacity to borrow money to pay U.S. bills.A White House official signaled Obama's opposition to negotiating amid a government shutdown remained unchanged, saying the president's message at his meeting with House and Senate leaders will be for Congress to pass a "clean" funding plan and debt ceiling measure with no Obamacare provisions attached.Shutdown means furloughs for up to 800,000With up to 800,000 federal workers facing life without a paycheck, the GOP-led House planned new votes Wednesday on piecemeal spending measures that would fund specific popular programs such as veterans affairs and national parks.The incremental approach pushed by tea party conservatives led by Sen.
Government shutdown may affect Wisconsin's WIC program
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- How will the government shutdown affect Wisconsin's WIC program?
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- How will the government shutdown affect Wisconsin's WIC program?
Pres. Obama blames GOP 'ideological crusade' for shutdown
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Republicans forced an unnecessary budget crisis in their single-minded effort to dismantle health care reforms, President Barack Obama said Tuesday as frustration spread across Washington and the country on the first day of a government shutdown.In some of his strongest criticism so far, Obama said the shutdown intended to hinder government efforts to provide health insurance to 15% of the U.S. population that doesn't have coverage, adding it was "strange that one party would make keeping people uninsured the centerpiece of their agenda."The stalemate in Congress that caused the shutdown continued with Senate Democrats voting for a fourth time to reject a spending plan by House Republicans that sought to undermine Obamacare.This time, the House proposal also included a call for a conference committee to seek a compromise.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Republicans forced an unnecessary budget crisis in their single-minded effort to dismantle health care reforms, President Barack Obama said Tuesday as frustration spread across Washington and the country on the first day of a government shutdown.In some of his strongest criticism so far, Obama said the shutdown intended to hinder government efforts to provide health insurance to 15% of the U.S. population that doesn't have coverage, adding it was "strange that one party would make keeping people uninsured the centerpiece of their agenda."The stalemate in Congress that caused the shutdown continued with Senate Democrats voting for a fourth time to reject a spending plan by House Republicans that sought to undermine Obamacare.This time, the House proposal also included a call for a conference committee to seek a compromise.
Government shutdown affects agencies in Milwaukee area
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Layoff notices to federal employees numbered in the hundreds on Tuesday, October 1st, as the government shut down after the House of Representatives and the Senate could not agree on a spending plan by the midnight deadline.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Layoff notices to federal employees numbered in the hundreds on Tuesday, October 1st, as the government shut down after the House of Representatives and the Senate could not agree on a spending plan by the midnight deadline.
Affordable Care Act open enrollment begins: How do I sign up?
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- People can now enroll in health care coverage in the Affordable Care Act insurance exchanges -- the centerpiece of Pres.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- People can now enroll in health care coverage in the Affordable Care Act insurance exchanges -- the centerpiece of Pres.
What happens now that a government shutdown is in place?
(CNN) -- So what happens now that a shutdown is in place?Republicans and Democrats couldn't agree on a spending plan for the fiscal year that started Tuesday as they wrangled over Obamacare, leaving federal coffers short.Here's a quick Q&A to get you caught up on what happened and what to expect:1.
(CNN) -- So what happens now that a shutdown is in place?Republicans and Democrats couldn't agree on a spending plan for the fiscal year that started Tuesday as they wrangled over Obamacare, leaving federal coffers short.Here's a quick Q&A to get you caught up on what happened and what to expect:1.
Government shut down, and Americans worry as politicians squabble
(CNN) -- It took virtually no time at all.
(CNN) -- It took virtually no time at all.
What is open, and what is closed during government shutdown
(CNN) -- With the federal government now shut down, many government services and agencies are closed, suspended or otherwise affected.
(CNN) -- With the federal government now shut down, many government services and agencies are closed, suspended or otherwise affected.
Comparing 1995 gov't shutdown to this shutdown in 2013
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- All government shutdowns are not created equal.In 1995 and 1996, disagreement over federal spending levels between the Republican-controlled Congress -- led by House Speaker Newt Gingrich -- and then-President Bill Clinton led the government to partially shut down twice.Government services were cut, federal workers were furloughed and hostility toward politicians grew.Now that a government shutdown has happened again -- this time after the Senate, run by Democrats, and the GOP-controlled House couldn't come to an agreement on funding the government by midnight on Tuesday -- it would be easy to compare the two shutdowns.The reality: the atmosphere, the lack of negotiations between leaders and the economy were all different in 1995, and this most recent shutdown is markedly different.Here is why:1.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- All government shutdowns are not created equal.In 1995 and 1996, disagreement over federal spending levels between the Republican-controlled Congress -- led by House Speaker Newt Gingrich -- and then-President Bill Clinton led the government to partially shut down twice.Government services were cut, federal workers were furloughed and hostility toward politicians grew.Now that a government shutdown has happened again -- this time after the Senate, run by Democrats, and the GOP-controlled House couldn't come to an agreement on funding the government by midnight on Tuesday -- it would be easy to compare the two shutdowns.The reality: the atmosphere, the lack of negotiations between leaders and the economy were all different in 1995, and this most recent shutdown is markedly different.Here is why:1.
Federal workers can collect unemployment during shutdown
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Federal workers who lose pay during the government shutdown can fall back on unemployment benefits in most states.But the money comes with a catch.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Federal workers who lose pay during the government shutdown can fall back on unemployment benefits in most states.But the money comes with a catch.
Business as usual at Supreme Court and other federal courts
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- It was business as usual at the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts, which are immune -- at least temporarily -- from the government shutdown.The justices have been back from summer break for several weeks, and issued a long summary on Tuesday of pending business.The court accepted eight appeals for review, including a copyright dispute over an Academy Award-winning movie.Federal courts nationwide opened the day with full staff and services.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- It was business as usual at the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts, which are immune -- at least temporarily -- from the government shutdown.The justices have been back from summer break for several weeks, and issued a long summary on Tuesday of pending business.The court accepted eight appeals for review, including a copyright dispute over an Academy Award-winning movie.Federal courts nationwide opened the day with full staff and services.
Busloads of veterans break past World War II Memorial barricade
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Busloads of World War II veterans, many in wheelchairs, broke past a barricade Tuesday morning to cross into the World War II Memorial, as onlookers applauded and a man playing the bagpipes led the way.Moments earlier, a few Republican members of Congress had removed a section of the black gates that surrounded the site, allowing a line of veterans to roll past security officers, who willingly stood aside.Veteran Donald Quinn of Pascagoula, Mississippi, said he was pleased with his visit to the memorial, despite the initial blockade."I'm surprised to see so many people here and so many important people, but I've enjoyed it," he said. "At first I didn't think I'd come, but I'm glad I did."The National Park Service closed all of its parks, including national memorials, as a result of the federal government shutdown that went into effect at 12:01 a.m ET.But a spokeswoman from the National Mall and Parks Service said efforts were no longer being made to hold anyone back."These are important visitors," she told reporters, adding that they're seeking guidance from the director's office on "where we go next.""Obviously we did not want to do anything to mar the trip of these people," she said, saying the visitors came from Mississippi and Iowa. "They've come here specifically to see the memorial that was built for them."Some Republican members of Congress and a Democratic senator were on site, blasting the federal government for fencing off the memorial.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Busloads of World War II veterans, many in wheelchairs, broke past a barricade Tuesday morning to cross into the World War II Memorial, as onlookers applauded and a man playing the bagpipes led the way.Moments earlier, a few Republican members of Congress had removed a section of the black gates that surrounded the site, allowing a line of veterans to roll past security officers, who willingly stood aside.Veteran Donald Quinn of Pascagoula, Mississippi, said he was pleased with his visit to the memorial, despite the initial blockade."I'm surprised to see so many people here and so many important people, but I've enjoyed it," he said. "At first I didn't think I'd come, but I'm glad I did."The National Park Service closed all of its parks, including national memorials, as a result of the federal government shutdown that went into effect at 12:01 a.m ET.But a spokeswoman from the National Mall and Parks Service said efforts were no longer being made to hold anyone back."These are important visitors," she told reporters, adding that they're seeking guidance from the director's office on "where we go next.""Obviously we did not want to do anything to mar the trip of these people," she said, saying the visitors came from Mississippi and Iowa. "They've come here specifically to see the memorial that was built for them."Some Republican members of Congress and a Democratic senator were on site, blasting the federal government for fencing off the memorial.