LUZERNE COUNTY---A government shutdown is looming and people in Northeastern Pennsylvania are reacting to what that will mean.
The last time it happened was the mid-nineties and that one lasted for 21 days.
Dr. Tim Kearney is chair of the business department at Misericordia University in Luzerne County.
He said as long as it does not last long, a shutdown will do seriously harm the economy.
"I think a short term shutdown, less than a week will probably cause disruption for people, but the long-term effect on the economy won't be especially great," said Dr. Kearney.
A shutdown means no non-essential government services, such as no visiting national parks, no federal WIC nutritional services for women, infants and children, though there may be state money for that.
If a shutdown continues into late October, there will be no money compensating wounded and injured veterans.
Members of Congress and the president will still be paid during a shutdown, but some say they should not be.
"I think that the senators and our representatives probably should learn what it's like not to get a salary if they don't do their work. After all, they took a huge break in the middle of September, instead of doing their work, they took off," said Lynne Hess Cease of Dallas.
"I'm worried about it and I do think that they probably, the senators and representatives shouldn't be getting their pay," said Christian Cease of Dallas.
Most government shutdowns have lasted no more than three days.
The most recent, in the mid-90's, was the longest.
"I do believe we're not going to be in trench warfare, we're going to make progress. I hope I'm right," said Dr. Kearney.