The United States Government has been on shutdown since Oct. 1 at midnight. At the time this article was written, it had been 28 days and 12 hours. The only thing that has come from this is that Congressional Representatives and Senators are no longer working for you. The government has turned its back on the American people in the name of uncompromisable negotiations.
Government shutdowns are anything but new. In fact, the U.S. Government has had four major shutdowns since 1981, excluding the current one. Twice under former President Bill Clinton, lasting five days and 21 hours; once under former President Barack Obama, lasting 16 days; and once under President Donald Trump’s first term, lasting 34 days as the longest shutdown in history.
Government shutdowns occur when Congress fails to pass or the president refuses to sign a spending bill that distributes funding to governmental operations, resulting in disruptions to agencies, workers, businesses and the American people.
Non-essential government workers are temporarily laid off, while essential government workers continue to work with little to no pay. Agencies don’t receive funding; therefore, they can’t fully operate as normal. Tuesday marked the first time air-traffic controllers and TSA agents' pay stubs read $0.00.
When shutdowns happen, initially most American people don’t feel the effects, but the longer it grows, the more effects start to hit home. This nearly month-long shutdown is starting to affect non-government working citizens.
The first to feel the effects will be active-duty military and their families. Although billionaire Timothy Mellon contributed $130 million to help pay troops, it doesn’t add nearly enough compared to the $6.5 billion needed for the Pentagon to fund paychecks by the end of this week.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, formerly known as food stamps, have also dried up. Beginning Nov. 1, families will no longer be receiving the government help they need to cover rising food costs. This will severely impact the nearly 43 million Americans across red and blue states who receive those benefits. In Athens County, as of 2022, 8,813 people receive SNAP benefits.
The funding needed to help and pay millions of government workers, active troops and American families is being used as a pawn in a political chess match between parties.
Elected officials at any level are supposed to work for the American people they vowed to serve. Taking the oath of federal office means to protect, serve and defend the American people. Each Republican, Democrat and Independent has dishonorably rebuked that oath when they allowed millions to work without pay, go hungry and uproot daily life.
Calling elected officials at the local, state and federal levels will help put pressure on the government to start working for their constituents again. Getting in contact with government agencies will ensure that they communicate the necessity to find a compromise. The American people have to ensure their government is still willing to work for them.
If you need assistance here in Athens and the surrounding communities, there are outlets to help. Although SNAP benefits will not be available, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, WIC, has funding to help through November. There is also the Athens County Food Pantry located in Millfield.
Local business, Hot Box Chicken Fingers & Tots, posted on social media this week to say they will help provide free meals to all SNAP recipients of Athens County.
If you have the resources, please help donate to local food banks and drives, so families in the area can receive the care they deserve.
Chase Borland is a junior studying journalism strategic communications at Ohio University. The views and opinions of this columnist do not necessarily reflect those of The Post. If you have any thoughts, questions or concerns, then you can contact him at cb297222@ohio.edu.
