VA Medical Center in Myrtle Beach would stay open in the event of a government shutdown/Ryan Naquin
A recording at the Myrtle Beach Internal Revenue Service office greets you when you call, preparing us all for a possible government shutdown.
"In the event of a government shutdown after midnight April 8th, our office will be closed," says a woman's recorded voice.
The recording is a reminder how close it is to the Federal Government's budget deadline. It's left people on the Grand Strand with a mixed feeling.
"I just don't worry about it, because I know nothing's going to happen," says Myrtle Beach's Gene Turlington. He worked for the government during the last shutdown and doesn't expect much to be different this time. He foresees lawmakers coming up with a deal before the deadline.
"It's absolutely disgusting, because the little man has to suffer," says Sue Hartofil. The Horry County resident is angry a deal has yet to be made. "Our taxes go for their salaries, and they can't agree on anything at all."
The inability of Washington lawmakers to come to an agreement will make its presence known throughout the country, but because the Grand Strand does not have a heavy presence of federal facilities, the effects from a shutdown would be lesser on the beach.
Even if a deal is not made, mail services by the U.S. Postal Service would continue, although passport and visa services would stop.
A majority of Veteran Affairs facilities and clinics will stay open. The VA will close call centers and hotlines and keep providing services like inpatient and outpatient care, prescriptions, and surgeries.
IRS and Social Security offices will close. The IRS will still accept tax returns and the deadline to file tax returns is still April 18th, but the processing of refunds will stop.
The troops overseas will continue to protect us, though their paychecks may be delayed.
While many won't feel the impact like those in the nation's capitol, that still doesn't calm the nerves of those fired up about a possible shutdown.
"I want them all fired if they can't do their job," said Hartofil.
In Florence, a number of federal agencies are housed at the McMillan Federal Building including the U.S. Attorney's Office which deals with civil and criminal matters and an IRS satellite office.
According the U.S. Department of Justice, a government shutdown would not impact operations that are necessary to safely protect life and property. All FBI personnel will continue to work and criminal court hearings would continue as scheduled, though most civil matters would likely be delayed.
The satellite office of the IRS could shutdown, but you should be able to still pick up forms in the lobby of the building.
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NewsChannel 15's Tonya Brown contributed to this report
