Chuck Grassley: “one of the most fundamental constitutional responsibilities afforded Congress is the power of the purse. It grants…”

“one of the most fundamental constitutional responsibilities afforded Congress is the power of the purse. It grants Congress the authority to raise and spend revenue, to operate the government, and examine spending decisions. The Federal Government is primarily funded through 12 annual appropriations bills. The Federal fiscal year begins on October 1 of each year. If the appropriations bills are not signed into law by September 30, lawmakers and the President must agree on a temporary spending resolution that is known in this town as a continuing resolution, keeping the government open for business. If that fails, the unfunded parts of government shut down. History has repeatedly shown that shutting down the government is bad policy and also bad politics. It costs the taxpayers money to shut down the government and even more to reopen it. A government shutdown reduces essential services for the American people, erodes the trust of the American people, and limits the ability of Congress to conduct oversight over Federal Government operations. Government shutdowns don't make for great bargaining tools.”