Shutdown Watch: Bulk of IT Staff at VA are Essential

If the government shuts down next month, Roger Baker, the Veterans Affairs Department's chief information officer, expects that most of the department's information technology staff will be declared essential personnel to support operations in VA hospitals.

In a call with reporters Thursday, Baker said he expects the IT staff to continue doing what they always do -- help provide health care to veterans.

In Washington, where everyone seems to be spun-up over the possibility of a shutdown, Baker stands out as one of the few people who says he does not anticipate one.