Editorial and Opinion Page

News On The Government Shutdown

October 15, 2025

By Charlotte Welliver and Eleanor Green

At the time of this writing, the government is entering its third week of shutdown. The last government shutdown in the United States occurred from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. On October 1, the government shut down because the Senate was unable to pass a funding bill to extend government operations.

With the shutdown, many services have stopped, significantly impacting those in government services. According to the BBC, thousands of flights have been canceled or delayed with the shortage of air traffic controllers, as they are expected to work without pay. Also according to the BBC, "Social Security and Medicare cheques are still being sent out; however, benefit verification and card issuance work may stop." The BBC also states that several other agencies, like the Centers for Disease Control (the CDC) and the National Institutes of Health, have also furloughed many workers, affecting ongoing research projects. With the government shutdown, families are highly at risk as services like the food assistance program and federally-funded pre-school have been reduced and even closed. While many face unemployment, Border Protection and law enforcement staff, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are still operating.

The government shutdown is detrimental to the average person, as it significantly affects their pay. The government shutdown primarily affects federal employees. Currently, around 2 million workers are without pay, and 750,000 have been furloughed. These employees include federal services that are effective, like food inspections, national parks, and IRS functions. Workers and businesses that rely on government services, as well as those involved in the military, have also been highly affected by the 2026 government shutdown.. However, according to the USA Facts team, “Many non-essential government employees are temporarily furloughed during a shutdown, while essential personnel whose funding is not dependent on annual appropriations bills.” A furlough is a temporary, unpaid leave of absence from work for non-disciplinary reasons, typically implemented by an organization due to a lack of work or funds.

As we approach week three, it is important to know what is happening next. “The Senate will vote for the ninth time on the House-passed short-term spending bill that would end the government shutdown after rejecting the GOP measure once again last night.” According to CBS, “the vote attracted no additional support from Democrats, who are demanding an extension of health care tax credits in exchange for their votes. Republicans need to convince five more senators to cross the aisle, a number that has remained unchanged since the start of the funding lapse.” Until these votes can be reached, services linked to the government are at risk of not being paid. The Trump Administration also plays a prominent role in the shutdown, as it is not just the Democrats. According to CBS, “members of the military were set to be paid on Wednesday despite the shutdown, after the Trump administration tapped unused research and development funds to cover their checks.”

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrj1znp0pyo

https://usafacts.org/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-a-government-shutdown/

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/government-shutdown-2025-latest-republicans-democrats-trump/

Student Opinions: Government Shutdown Sparks Mixed Reactions

by Gavin Meier

As the U.S. government shutdown continues, students at Notre Dame are weighing in with their thoughts on the situation. The shutdown, which has left many federal workers unpaid and temporarily halted public services, has become a topic of concern and frustration across the nation and in our school community as well.

Mairin Agan shared that she knows the government is shut down and that many people are unable to work or receive their paychecks. “No one is getting paid, and some are even taking forced vacations,” she explained, noting how disruptive the situation has become for ordinary Americans.

Xander Odum expressed disappointment in the government’s handling of the issue. “It’s unfortunate,” he said, “and Congress should balance the budget as soon as possible so people can be paid for their work.”

Meredith Rodgers took a stronger stance, calling the situation unfair. “The Republicans have a majority in the House, yet they still blame Democrats for everything,” she said. “They need to take responsibility and grow up.”

Jenai Spencer echoed concerns about fairness, especially for government employees. “It’s messy,” she said. “Government workers aren’t getting paid, but they still have to work. That’s very unfair to the people who serve our country.”

Owen Neidrich pointed to the shutdown as evidence of dysfunction in Washington. “This shows a failure on the government’s end,” he said. “Their job is to come together and find a budget to pay their employees. Many people are now facing hardships because of this, and it could have lasting impacts on our nation.”

Brendan O’Brien focused on the wider consequences of the shutdown. “It’s very harmful to the progression of the United States,” he said. “Thousands of Americans aren’t getting paid, projects are delayed, and even public parks are shut down. The blame falls on both Congress and the Executive Branch.”

The government shutdown has clearly struck a chord among Notre Dame students, sparking reflection on leadership, accountability, and fairness. While opinions differ, one thing remains constant: students are paying attention and they care about the future of their country.

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