Beth Johnson, a military spouse and mother of two from Tennessee, has moved her family multiple times over the past two decades due to her husband’s military service. The recent 43-day U.S. government shutdown, the longest in history, brought additional uncertainties that she typically does not face. Johnson, like many other families reliant on federal income, experienced anxiety over whether active-duty service members would receive their paychecks during the shutdown. Congress has since reached a funding agreement that will last until the end of January, but concerns about a potential repeat shutdown remain.
The shutdown impacted around 1.3 million active-duty personnel, some of whom worked without pay. While federal employees received assurances for back pay, families like Johnson’s had to make difficult financial decisions. In response to the uncertainty, her son even suggested they could forgo Christmas gifts. Johnson expressed frustration over the political negotiations that caused such stress for thousands of families.
Similarly affected was Sierra Bird from Florida, who depends on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for her family’s food needs. With SNAP benefits delayed, she has cautiously resumed her monthly funding but expressed anxiety about the possibility of future shutdowns, prompting her to consider stockpiling food. Bird highlighted the need for stable food access, urging policymakers not to interfere with essential resources.
Meanwhile, many federal employees, including Sarah, an archaeologist from Utah, faced job-related uncertainties. She was furloughed during the shutdown, contemplating leaving the federal sector altogether due to financial instability. After the government reopened, she returned to work but is preparing for potential financial constraints if another shutdown occurs.
As the government funding agreement approaches its expiration, families like Johnson’s are taking preventative measures and monitoring expenses in anticipation of possible difficulties ahead.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8glerlyrgo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss