In the early hours of Oct. 1 2025, a long battle between the Democrats and Republicans of Congress occurred, as both wanted to pass a bill that the other didn’t agree with to prevent a government shutdown. Republicans couldn’t agree to the terms of the Democrats’ bill and vice versa, which ultimately led to the shutdown they all dreaded.
As of Oct. 15th, the American public has been reaping the consequences of a lack of compromise from Congress as government-funded services slowly shut down. Air traffic towers have been shut down due to low staffing, government workers are being told to stay home and many officers and government personnel are forced to continue working without any pay.
With the wages that many workers aren’t receiving, the worries of housing and security have been creeping into the minds of those kept home and those going unpaid. Many workers reliant on the government have already begun their panic, with one worker for the Department of the Interior currently being kept home stating, “If this goes on for the next two weeks, I may not be able to afford my housing soon”.
Beyond housing, concerns have been raised about the status of food stamps and food banks. Food stamps should be continuing as normal throughout October; however, once November hits, there may be a delay or interruption because of the limited funding that the USDA and FNS, both government-run and funded organizations, have.
With the tensions rising, blame has been passed back and forth between the two major political powers in the United States: the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. Republicans have blamed Democrats since the beginning for the government shutdown, with JD Vance, the vice president of the United States, stating that the Democrats are holding America hostage. Republicans have updated official government websites with a message blaming the “radical left” for the government shutdown. However, it isn’t fair to blame one party for a shutdown when both parties couldn’t compromise on a saving bill.
The effects of the government shutdown are brutal and are continuing as there is no current foreseeable agreement between the democrats and republicans. Things will only get worse for government workers, and if the shutdown continues, then the public will begin to feel the effects more directly. Hopefully, an agreement will be reached soon so government workers can continue their jobs serving the people, and before the people who rely heavily on the government heavily won’t be neglected.
