President Obama and the leader of the Democratic-controlled Senate dismissed a late developing plan approved early on Sunday by the GOP-run House that would delay by a year a key part of the new health care law and repeal a tax on medical devices, in exchange for avoiding a shutdown.
A government shutdown would have far-reaching consequences for some, but minimal impact on others:
Federal air traffic controllers would remain on the job and airport-screening staff would keep funneling passengers through security checkpoints. Federal inspectors would continue enforcing safety rules.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
The State Department would continue processing foreign applications for visas and U.S. applications for passports, since fees are collected to finance those services. Embassies and consulates overseas would continue to provide services to American citizens.