Tales from the Trail

No work, no trash pick-up, no Circulator bus trips around town, but at least the “non-essential” federal employee can eat like a teenager in a buffet line if the federal government shuts down after the clock hits 12 tonight. 

Federal and Washington D.C. government services not deemed essential will close if Congress fails to reach a budget deal before funds run out at midnight. But local restaurants and bars are offering some compensation — deals and freebies for government workers if Republicans and Democrats fail to reach agreement.

Taylor Gourmet is offering 10 percent off orders at its H St NE location starting at 12:01 a.m. to anyone who presents a government ID and says “Shut it down.” (And check out that photo!)

Z-Burger near Tenleytown tweeted that federal employees will receive a free burger on Monday if the government closes. Capitol hangout Union Pub posted on Facebook that if there’s a shutdown, government workers can get penny beers all week between 5 and 6 p.m.

Keep an eye on event sites, such as Metromix and DininginDC.net, and Twitter hashtags like #shutdowndeals for more specials and freebies.

There’s always been a lot of talk about the haves and have-nots.

These days in Washington it’s about the essentials and non-essentials.

The two classes of federal workers would be starkly revealed by a government shutdown if Congress and the White House fail to reach an agreement on spending by midnight Friday.

Those deemed to be non-essential, an estimated 800,000 federal workers, would be furloughed if the government shuts down as it did 15 years ago.

Here are some comments from “non-essential” workers on CNNMoney.com and the Huffington Post.