Government Shutdown

As of September 30th, 2025, government funding has been stopped. What does this mean, you might ask? Well, this means people with government jobs are temporarily not being paid. Jobs like cops and case workers' paychecks are all funded by the government. Over 4,000 workers were laid off until the government reopens, and 750,000 people across the U.S are currently on unpaid leave. However, regardless of the government shutdown, jobs such as the military are still being paid. 

What does it mean for the government to be shut down, you might ask? The government shutdown is caused by the Senators not being able to agree, so they can not advance the GOP Bill to Congress. Republicans argue that healthcare gets a big cut, as they believe  Democrats demand that a larger amount of funding ends up going to the health department, as only around 30% goes to healthcare. Although this is a lot, Democrats demand a bigger pay cut to go to healthcare, as it is the most beneficial for citizens on Medicare or Medicaid. Medicare and Medicaid are both big insurance programs for older people as well as low-income families. Medicare and Medicaid fall under the category of healthcare provided through the government. This is where elders can apply after the age of 65 and become eligible for Medicaid. Medicare is for the lower-income or disabled; this applies to mental health difficulties as well. However,  people who get funding from the government with SNAP, Medicare, and Medicaid are struggling during this time in the shutdown, with one federal worker saying, “Reality is really hitting now”. The escalation of the run for money of those living off federal pay is significant. 

Continually, Food stamps funding on November 1st will be shut down. The struggle for food benefits has become immense because, according to NBC News, “state agency and regional directors on Oct. 10, the Department of Agriculture warned that there would not be enough funding to pay full SNAP benefits”. This means that Snap will be suspended for the continuation of the government shutdown. What does this mean for people on food stamps after November 1st? Well, we don't exactly know. The Arkansas  Department of Human Services suggests, “If you have accrued SNAP benefits from previous months on your account, use those funds now to buy shelf-stable foods that can last through November and beyond.” Arkansas pushes out these concerns to not only those in their state, but for everyone on food benefits. With over 42 million people across America with food stamps, this is an immense issue for survival for low-income families. Some of those on food stamps can't even work, so this begs the question of what needs to be done.

The Senate is expected to meet again on October 27th.The goal is that they come to a consensus, so this leaves us to wonder, will the Democrats' concerns be taken into consideration this time, or will the government remain shut down?  If the government does remain shut down, what does this mean for Americans across the country trying to survive? 

Sources:

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/government-shutdown-trump-update-10-24-25

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

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/15/government-shutdown-funding-bill-vote-aca.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/us/politics/government-shutdown-effects.html

https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/news/dhs-warns-of-possible-delay-or-disruption-in-snap-benefits-if-shutdown-continues/

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/snap-benefits-funds-run-out-nov-1-rcna239432