As we all know, the federal government shut
down on Oct. 1 after Congress failed to agree on
federal spending, specifically regarding foreign aid
and healthcare. With no end in sight, it is shaping up
to be one of the longest shutdowns in our nation’s
history, the longest being the shutdown of 2018–
2019, which lasted a total of 35 days. House Speaker
Mike Johnson even expressed concern that, “We’re
barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in
American history.”
As high school students, it can easily seem
like the impacts of the shutdown don’t affect
us, and for many, this may be the case, but the
effects are felt by millions of other Americans.
Specifically, 1.4 million Americans have been
furloughed (temporarily discharged from their
jobs), and the nation’s 2 million active-duty troops
have missed their Oct. 15 paycheck.
So how can the government shutdown affect
me personally, one may ask? For many of us seniors,
the shutdown can impact our lives when applying to
colleges by causing delays in the processing of FAFSA,
Pell Grants, or other aid and loan programs. Additionally,
those who intend to travel during the shutdown can
feel the effects at airports with slower security lines or
increased delays and scheduling changes. TSA agents
and air traffic controllers are considered essential
employees and must work through the shutdown
without pay. However, during shutdowns, these agents
tend to call out sick at higher rates, thus prolonging wait
times.
Similarly, tourism sites across the country, such
as national parks, monuments, and government-funded
museums, have greatly limited their hours or, in some
cases, shut down entirely. This is largely due to staffing
issues, as many workers at these locations are among the
1.4 million who have been furloughed.
Unfortunately, the government shutdown
also impacts lower-income families at a higher rate,
particularly those who rely on programs like the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),
where funding has been reduced. And in Missouri alone,
more than 655,000 families rely on SNAP to purchase
meals for themselves and their families.
These are just a few of the effects
being felt so far, 15 days into the shutdown, but if
this continues, more pressing issues will arise, further
affecting the lives of Americans.
