The shutdown of the U.S. Government today has had a major impact at the Government Printing Office operations. While the U.S. Congress continues to debate and hammer out a budget, the staff at the GPO will be reduced 70 percent, from its typical workforce of around 1,900.
The shutdown, the first in 18 years, comes after the Senate rejected a spending plan by House Republicans which undermines what is colloquially known as Obamacare. The shutdown affects 800,000 workers in the U.S. government, who will be sent home without pay, and will cost the U.S. economy $1 billion a week.
The continuing GPO operations will be there to support Congress as it works its way through the stalemate. All other purchasing and or printing (other than some designated as “excepted”) will cease until funding is restored.
The GPO posted a message about the situation on its site, which reads:
“In the absence of contact from the GPO Acquisition Services office, your contract is NOT designated as excepted. Therefore, no work is to be performed under your contract after midnight September 30, 2013. This direction is in effect until you are notified by the Contracting Officer that work under your contract shall resume, which is not expected to happen until appropriations again become available for this agency.”
A story by Washington, D.C. publication Roll Call, quoted GPO spokesperson Gary Somerset regarding the GPO’s role during the shutdown: “When Congress’ lights are on, GPO’s lights are on,” Somerset said. “Whether it be a shutdown, blizzard, earthquake or hurricane, GPO employees will fulfill the digital and printing needs of Congress.”
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