Arrow-right Camera
Subscribe now

Shutdowns can be prevented

Shutdowns can happen because of a law passed in 1870 - the Anti-Deficiency Act. Simply stated, the act prevents making payments that have not been authorized.

Therefore, Congress could, if they wanted, rescind that act. Then, even if an agency’s money had not been authorized for the current year, they could still keep operating and paying their employees and contractors.

While this has a boatload of potential problems, it would also prevent the president and Congress from holding the country hostage.

John Slaughter

Spirit Lake, Idhao



Letters policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Fax
(509) 459-3815

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy