RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A federal government shutdown could happen if lawmakers fail to reach a budget agreement on federal spending. The last big shutdown, which happened seven years ago, lasted 35 days and had a negative effect on the economy, experts say.

Local 804 Representative Chris Hollis said union LiUna works with thousands of federal employees nationwide who could be impacted.

"You have this government shutdown ... we're looking at a possibility of furloughs," Hollis said. "If people don't have jobs, they can't pay their bills. It's survival mode."

And that "survival mode" could be reality for many as the deadline for a shutdown -- that being midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 1 -- approaches.

"If we don't have that agreement in our system of government, then the government stops spe

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