Trump's budget chief suggests a government shutdown wouldn't be that bad

pulse

April 12, 2017 6:20 PM

"Social Security checks go out, military still exists. The FBI still chases bad guys. I think the consequences have been blown out of proportion."

The Jefferson Memorial is seen with its entry closed off in Washington, October 1, 2013.

The head of President Donald Trumps budget office said that people shouldnt be so concerned about the deadline for Congress to fund the federal government.

Mick Mulvaney, the Office of Management and Budget director, said in an interview with CNBC's that he thinks the chances of a government shutdown are "very low," and even if it happens, it may not be a big deal.

government,military

The current short-term funding agreement for the federal government is set to expire on April 28, just five days after Congress returns from a two-week recess. In order to avoid a shutdown, which would close federal facilities such as national parks and even limit access to data from federal agencies like the Census Bureau, lawmakers would have to write and pass a funding bill before that time.

Mulvaney was a key player in the last shutdown in 2013 when the federal government was closed from October 1-16. Mulvaney and the Republican-controlled House supported funding bills that were rejected by the Democratic Senate, including one that delayed the implementation of the Affordable Care Act for a year, in a game of political ping pong.

The OMB Director also said that pinning a shutdown on one part of the government is unfair.

Senate

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