The federal government shutdown that began October 1 couldn’t have illustrated this more. The impact has only made clearer and worsened the pain of hundreds of thousands of federal employees across the country. They were right to oppose a continuing resolution. This decision placed the legislation at an impasse, as the bill failed to renew federal subsidies for health insurance, which are provided for by the Affordable Care Act. As the shutdown enters its third week, workers are being forced to confront precarious finances and job insecurity. It’s no wonder therefore that they are the ones currently bearing the brunt on public services.
The current situation mirrors past government shutdowns, notably the one during President Donald Trump’s first term in 2019, which lasted a record 34 days. Many federal employees who endured that stalemate now find themselves in a similar predicament, facing furloughs or working without pay. Randy Erwin, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees, urged both Congressional Democrats and Republicans to come together to work towards a solution. He implored them to resolve the current stalemate.
Federal workers are facing increasing economic hardship with each passing day without their pay. Jessica Sweet, a former Social Security claims specialist, has developed a contingency plan. As a precaution, she prepared herself in case she is laid off during the shutdown. She expressed her concerns about job security by stating, “The one thing this administration has taught me is that nothing is ever for certain, even if it’s codified into law.”
And with each day that passes, the burden begins to mount on our federal workers. They are forced to make the impossible decision between meeting their service obligations to keep our country safe and providing for their families’ most fundamental needs. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, emphasized that “no American should ever have to choose between serving their country and feeding their family,” highlighting the human cost of political disagreements.
The ongoing shutdown – the third of fiscal year 2024 – has kept a multitude of federal departments and agencies in holding pattern. According to the Office of Management and Budget, over 4,000 federal employees could face termination in connection with the shutdown. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the administration from firing workers while this dispute continues. This well-reasoned decision comes as a great relief to hundreds of thousands who may soon lose their jobs.
As public services continue to fail, the effect on morale and retention is impossible to ignore. Chris Bartley remarked on how the ongoing situation affects both employees and public safety: “Morale and retention suffer. Public safety is compromised.” The sentiment is felt deeply among the workforce who still dutifully show up to work despite looming fiscal cliffs.
Even in the face of this continued chaos, Republicans and Democrats alike are dug in — both sides utterly convinced that their messaging is hitting home with voters. This failure to compromise is a critical blow to hopes for a quick resolution. Policy Director Adam Pelletier explained that “as it stands, nothing is being proactively looked at right now at the NLRB. There’s no regular elections for unions or elections for decertifications. Essentially all of it is grinding to a halt,” highlighting the far-reaching effects of the shutdown past lost paychecks.
