Government Shutdown Battle: 'Compromise is Not a Dirty Word'

If the government shuts down Friday, Westport resident Winifred Martinek said "it would be a dreadful thing," but she's not too worried about obtaining her Social Security check.

"They go out on the third of the month," she said. "Presumably by then, it would be over."

In fact, benefit checks won't be affected at all, even with a protracted shutdown, as they actually don't depend on Congress for payment, but services such as processing new Social Security applications would, among a range of other federal services.

Some could be significant. Soldiers will continue to earn pay, but paychecks could be delayed. The IRS will slow the processing of paper returns and refunds could be affected — though note tax deadline will remain April 18.

Martinek shared her thoughts at the Westport Center for Senior Activities Friday morning. She was with her husband Charlie to hear a lecture on World War II.

One room over in the cafeteria, friends Holly Hart and Sue Doherty were enjoying a cup of coffee after a morning yoga workout at the center.

Though Hart and Doherty are not receiving Social Security income just yet, they say they are moving in that direction and the thought of a government shutdown is concerning.

"I think it's ridiculous that Congressmen still have pay and the Armed Services do not," said Hart, a 62-year-old Fairfield resident. "It's all just politics right now."

"I agree with Holly," Doherty said. "They just can't settle their differences and talk."

For Hart, the country's leaders only need to do one thing to settle the matter and keep the federal government functional.

"Compromise," she said. "Compromise. It's not a dirty word."

Concern could be found elsewhere.

Though postal workers are expecting no disruptions to mail delivery or services, according to Lisa J. Landone, a Trumbull resident and customer relations coordinator with the United States Postal Service in Stamford, it isn't clear how the shutdown may affect the processing of passport applications.

"We’re in in conversation with the Department of State regarding processing passport applications," Landone said. "I'm not sure if we’re going to be able to process applications. We are [processing] right now, but the conversation is open."

For many, such as Betsy Peyreigne, a volunteer for Weston Food Pantry and chair of Weston’s Veterans Affairs Committee, the prospect of a disruption is more personal.

As graduate of United State Naval Academy, Peyreigne’s husband is a Navy veteran and her son Alex is headed to the Merchant Marine Academy next fall.

Congress may pass a stopgap bill Friday that would ensure the military is paid.

However, as Peyreigne said, nothing is guaranteed.

“I don’t think I’d be as angry as I am if it didn’t affect the military,” Peyreigne said. “It’s not okay for these soldiers to have these worries now.”

If there is a shut down, commissaries on bases will close. Her son, was supposed to attend an Open House at the Merchant Marine Academy Monday. Peyreigne said they’ve received notice the open house will be cancelled should there be shutdown.

“Does it ruin my life? No. But for some of these young men and women who live across the country it’d be the first time they see the academy,” she said.

Peyreigne also said she’s annoyed that a possible government shut down could mean civilian instructors at Federal Service Academies will be furloughed, but the military instructors who are active duty will have to stay and teach midshipmen and cadets.

“These men and women are not getting rich doing what they are doing for us,” Peyreigne said. “The thought of not giving them their pay while the government argues about the budget bothers me.”