The Larger Effects of a Government Shutdown

Government shutdowns, as ominous as they may sound, are sadly not uncommon in the United States. From the 21-day adjournment during former President Bill Clinton’s presidency to the 35-day adjournment during President Donald Trump’s first term, Americans have been undergoing these circumstances for a long time now. However, in the midst of heightened political tension, 2025’s government dysfunction brings heightened turmoil. 

The facts are indisputable. A lack of action in several areas has undoubtedly led to this nationwide issue beginning on Oct. 1. It is the responsibility of our Congress to keep our government afloat—especially now, when a financial bill should have been passed weeks ago to avoid this exact predicament. However, according to the official White House Website, as of Oct. 21, “Democrats have shut down the government.” 

Considering the fact that Republicans currently control the majority of congressional seats, this comment could seem objectively unhinged. However, the deactivation of our government is, evidently, far more harmful to our people than political discourse. As of mid-October, some federal services are still inactive and will remain as such until function resumes as normal again. These programs include National Parks and Museums, the Small Business Administration, Environmental Services, etc. Other larger branches affected include the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Social Security services, and Housing Assistance programs. While not all of these programs are fully shut down, a prolonged lack of funding can create larger issues that would plunge this country even further into debt. 

It’s also worth noting that Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, is still functioning and considered essential to daily life. Among being fully functional, these officers, as well as military and FBI agents, are being paid regularly—a disparity to the thousands of other federal employees who have faced pay cuts thus far. This fact, issued Oct. 16 by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, has generated fear and outrage among millions. 

PC: Pixabay

Because several necessary services, like the aforementioned Social Security program, are compromised due to a lack of federal resources, this lapse of American priorities isn’t dismissible. On Oct. 17, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “ICE will NOT stop making America safe again even during the Democrats’ government shutdown.” Serving as a burning topic for debate, America's priorities are being clearly laid out as we try our best to navigate through this problem.

Regardless of the people’s opinion on how or why this has happened, it’s not difficult to see the damage this government's deactivation will inflict on the country. Affecting millions of jobs across the nation, this detriment is going to harm the greater half of the country. Already, thousands of federal employees have been laid off, with the White House Budget Chief issuing a prediction of the final amount being north of 10,000. The damage isn’t unique to federal affairs, either. With rising budget tensions affecting hundreds of thousands of non-federal companies around the country, the damage will be wider than you might expect.