SEC to stay open in the event of broader government shutdown

A woman waits for an elevator in the foyer of the Fort Worth Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Fort Worth, Texas June 28, 2012. REUTERS/Mike Stone

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Securities and Exchange Commission will remain open for business even if Congress fails to strike a budget deal to keep the government operating, SEC spokesman John Nester said Monday. "The SEC will be able to stay open in the event of a funding lapse because we have carryover funds available," Nester said. He added that the SEC's congressional appropriation lets the agency use all of its funds until they are expended, and the SEC has determined that "carryover balances are sufficient to allow us to remain open for a few weeks if there is a lapse of appropriations." (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Gary Hill)