On September 30, the US faces a deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown. The East Coast and Gulf Coast ports also face the same deadline to avoid a strike.Left: AP Photo/Luca Bruno Right: AP Photo/Matt RourkeIf Congress doesn't pass a stopgap bill by September 30, there will be a partial government shutdown.East Coast and Gulf Coast ports will also shut down if a union contract isn't renegotiated by the same date.If either — or both — were to happen, the US economy would take a hit ahead of the 2024 election.September 30 could be a consequential day for the US economy if two major negotiations don't get hammered out in time.Congress must pass a stopgap spending bill by the last day of this month to avoid a partial government shutdown.