Government Shutdown (Miles)

10/3/2025

As many of you may know, the United States government officially shut down on Wednesday, with only essential services---such as the military, postal service, and air traffic control---continuing to operate. This shutdown results from a deadlock in the Senate over the annual funding bill, as neither party has been able to gather enough support to pass their proposals.
Recent Senate votes underscore this division: a GOP-led funding bill failed by a vote of 55-45, while a Democratic proposal, which included healthcare-related funding priorities, was also rejected, 53-47. These legislative impasses have led to the first government shutdown since 2013, raising serious concerns about its effects on federal workers, public services, and various assistance programs across the country.

With the shutdown now in effect, many Americans are already feeling, or will soon feel, its impact. How do you see this affecting you, your family, or your community?

While my father’s work is not based in the United States and therefore won’t be directly affected by the shutdown, my family could still experience indirect impacts in our daily lives. For instance, one potential consequence could be shifts in the economy, including changes in consumer behavior due to thousands of federal workers being furloughed or missing paychecks. This might lead to reduced spending overall, possibly affecting prices for goods like groceries. However, if demand drops significantly, it could signal larger economic issues such as a slowdown or even recession, which would have broader negative effects on the country as a whole. So while we may not be impacted immediately at work, the ripple effects of the shutdown could still reach us through the economy and community services.

14 Comments

Killian Smith

10/4/2025 10:40:12 am

The government shutdown greatly affects my family as both of my parents are federal employees. My mom was fully furloughed, which means she doesn’t have to go to work and isn’t getting payed. That being said my dad is certified in livestock management so was deemed essential so even with both parents not getting payed my dad still has to work. If this shutdown lasts longer than a month or two my family will definitely see a drop in what we will be able to afford. I’ve also seen the effects mentally on my family, not so much my brothers as they are younger and don’t really know what’s happening, but both parents have started staying up later, losing sleep, having shorter fuses. The night I found out that it truly shut down this time, as it had threatened to multiple times in the last year, I think I was only able to sleep an hour. This added stress has shown in my schoolwork, my social interactions and my cross country training making it hard to understand how the senate is withholding and compromise, and notably they are still getting payed to be there.

Lucile Turner

10/5/2025 01:25:55 pm

It's clear that the shutdown is causing real challenges for many families, especially with the financial strain and added stress. It's tough when essential workers have to keep working without pay, and others being furloughed. This situation also highlights how important it is for lawmakers to find common ground quickly, because the longer it goes on, the more widespread the effects become.

Alyssa Tracy

10/5/2025 01:41:32 pm

I haven't thought about the affect the shutdown has on teens with affected parents. It makes it harder for those especially since everyone has their own busy lives, and this just adds more stress to anyone. Government shutdowns can show just how divided we are in both the government and now more so everyday life.

Miles

10/5/2025 05:30:25 pm

There are two main groups that will be impacted by the shutdown, though at different times: the primary group (government workers) and the secondary group. Killian is a prime example of those who are directly affected, while the rest of us fall into the secondary category.

Cody Cox

10/5/2025 08:37:25 pm

This shutdown should not really be happening in my opinion because how do the people let it get to this point in the first place. This answer just shows how it can not only have an effect on government employees, but people who support them and care about them.

Alyssa Tracy

10/4/2025 01:36:17 pm

The government shutdown is affecting my brother who is in the military, while he still has to work but not getting paid. I can see this shutdown affecting part of the community, with those who have government affiliated jobs. With them not getting paid while either having to work or not, but they both impact what they will be able to afford.

Lucile Turner

10/5/2025 01:22:31 pm

I think that working without pay for the military personnel is extremely unfair. This situation puts a lot of stress on people with government jobs and can affect the whole community since their spending power decreases. I hope that this shutdown ends soon so we can go back to normal.

Killian Smith

10/5/2025 01:32:30 pm

To me if a job is deemed essential then why aren’t they getting payed. My dad being essential for grounds keeping and livestock management is incredibly important as are almost every other of the jobs that are essential. Now if the job is so essential why can’t they get payed while doing it, and being required to. The other thing with pay and working during a shutdown is those that are making the decisions and fighting over the budget are still getting payed, so what incentive do they have to hurry the process.

Miles

10/5/2025 06:26:07 pm

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't forced unpaid labor called slavery? Anyhow, on a lighter note, it seems like these "essential" workers should be getting paid at least a little bit, since they are the ones holding up the government right now.

Cody Cox

10/5/2025 08:39:50 pm

This also angers me as well. This is because the people that are risking their life's everywhere are now put under more stress than they already are in. This goes out to all government related jobs as well.

Lucile Turner

10/5/2025 01:20:11 pm

Although a lot of people (my family included) does not work directly for the federal government, the shutdown could still affect us through the economy. If thousands of federal employees are not receiving paychecks, they will likely reduce their spending, which could lead to lower demand for goods and services. This could cause local businesses to suffer and could possibly lead to higher prices for everyday items.

Killian Smith

10/5/2025 01:36:07 pm

The impact to the economy could be very extreme especially when looking at how many federal employees are in the nation. Shrinking this to just salmon think about who the main employers in salmon are, almost all are government offices or funded by the government in some way. This could lead to a serious problem for businesses in salmon as you said which in turn trickles to the community. The government shutdown is effecting everyone.

Alyssa Tracy

10/5/2025 01:36:47 pm

The results of this government shutdown affects us all in a way, and usually not for the better. With prices being high for a lot of people already, and the reduced spending coming in to play, it will make it harder for the rest of those people to live. It is good to hear that not everyone is affected too bad by this shutdown.

Cody Cox

10/5/2025 08:34:11 pm

The government shutdown is already affecting many Americans, and its impact will likely grow. Government employees and contractors may face missed paychecks, creating financial stress for families. Other services like food assistance programs, childcare support, and school funding could be delayed or disrupted. Local communities may also feel the strain from closed parks or thigs shut off to the community. If the shutdown lasts, the effects could ripple through every part of daily life. This wont really affect my family because most are retired, but knowing my family they will try to help out in any way they can.

Government Shutdown (Miles)

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