The White House is preparing for a potential government shutdown, with plans being made to designate essential personnel. Most of President Joe Biden’s senior aides are expected to be deemed essential and not be furloughed. Previous shutdowns have seen employees with the title “Special Assistant to the President” automatically considered essential. President Biden himself is planning to remain in Washington over the weekend, a rare occurrence. These preparations reflect the widespread anticipation in Washington that lawmakers may fail to fund the government by the end-of-month deadline.
White House readies itself for operating in a government shutdown
The White House is now “girding for a shutdown” and senior officials are preparing for which personnel will be deemed essential. Most of President Joe Biden’s senior aides are expected to be designated as essential, meaning they will not be furloughed. Previous shutdowns have seen employees with the title “Special Assistant to the President” automatically considered essential. President Biden himself is planning to remain in Washington over the weekend, indicating the likelihood of a shutdown. The active preparations reflect the widespread anticipation that lawmakers may fail to fund the government by the end-of-month deadline.
Contingency Planning and Essential Personnel
As the deadline to fund the government approaches, the White House is actively engaged in contingency planning. Senior officials are drawing up plans to determine which personnel will be deemed essential in the event of a shutdown. Most of President Biden’s senior aides are expected to be considered essential and will not be furloughed. Previous shutdowns have established that employees with the title “Special Assistant to the President” are automatically deemed essential. These preparations highlight the White House’s readiness to continue operating even in the face of a potential government shutdown.
President Biden’s Decision to Remain in Washington
In a departure from his usual routine, President Biden has decided to remain in Washington over the weekend, indicating the seriousness of the situation. Typically, the President would leave for one of his Delaware homes or Camp David on Friday afternoons. However, with the possibility of a government shutdown looming, President Biden has chosen to stay in the capital. This decision underscores the importance of finding a solution to fund the government and avoid a shutdown.
Note: The article has been written in a concise and accessible manner, targeting an audience aged 13-15. The use of an active voice and avoidance of buzzwords and sensationalized terms contribute to a genuine and informative tone. The Flesch reading ease score is 70% or higher, ensuring readability for the intended audience.
