With the current federal government shutdown exceeding three weeks, nearly 750,000 federal workers are now furloughed and going without pay. The consequences of this shutdown have created deep fear and anxiety among workers already living paycheck to paycheck. With the first full paycheck set to be missed on Friday, many federal employees are uncertain about their financial futures.
That’s implied by former President Donald Trump’s assertion that back pay for furloughed workers is not a sure thing. During a recent press gaggle, he definitively said he will provide back pay. Whether to move or not will ultimately be subject-specific—based on the circumstances of each employee in question. His comments have only increased the fear and worry surrounding the continued uncertainty.
“There are some people that don’t deserve to be taken care of, and we’ll take care of them in a different way,” – Donald Trump
Despite Trump’s remarks, members of Congress from both major parties quickly expressed their support for providing back pay to furloughed workers. Literally within hours of his comments, bipartisan support ballooned. Lawmakers were surprisingly zealous to address the financial strain facing displaced workers.
Legislative Responses to the Shutdown
In response to the ongoing crisis, Senators Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Gary Peters of Michigan introduced legislation aimed at ensuring pay for some federal workers during the shutdown. Their legislation was an important step towards reducing the burden felt by Americans affected by the government-imposed, job-killing furloughs.
Sadly, Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin blocked the unanimous consent requests needed to move this legislation forward. His objections laid bare the partisan divide over the solutions needed to fix any future crisis brought about by a shutdown.
With each passing month, the heat is on for Congress to act. They need to reach a speedy compromise to reopen federal agencies and get the paychecks flowing again for employees. The longer the shutdown continues, the more dire the repercussions grow for those being harmed.
Local Assistance Programs Emerge
Though federal workers were restored upon enactment, furloughed federal employees still face serious hardship. In reaction, many states have begun running assistance programs to provide them with that essential support. In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore recently pledged housing protections for impacted workers. That support may come in the form of mortgage, energy, and eviction assistance specifically targeted to keep families out of homelessness.
Arlington County in Virginia has adopted a measure to protect furloughed workers. These days, they’re providing job placement services, health care, emergency food assistance, and housing resources. Taken together, these initiatives allow people to better weather their financial storms in this new, unexpected, and terribly scary normal.
Feeding America is a nonprofit organization with a large network of 200 food banks across the country. They are dedicated to supporting the workers impacted by the shutdown. They warn that an extended shutdown may stretch resources even more.
“A prolonged shutdown will deepen the strain, and more families will seek help at a time when food banks are already stretched due to sustained high need,” – Feeding America
The Human Impact of the Shutdown
As federal employees continue to navigate the hardships of an unexpected furlough, many are concerned about how they’re going to make ends meet until the funding is restored. My god, the emotional toll of this emotional shutdown is enormous! As inflation skyrockets, workers are more concerned than ever about their ability to afford necessities like housing and groceries.
Further complicating matters, Maryland, Virginia, and New York all have major populations of federal employees. They’re giving their time, talents and treasures to bring immediate relief to all who are suffering. These organized responses are examples of a vigorous community activism. Collectively, we want to help ease some of the weight that families are carrying in this unprecedented moment.
Outside the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., a sign reading “Closed due to federal government shutdown” serves as a stark reminder of the current circumstances. The visible impacts of the shutdown extend beyond individual experiences; they reflect on the broader functioning of government and society.
