As the looming government shutdown inches closer with only a few days away, negotiations between President Trump and legislators have yet to produce an agreement in sight. People across the country are becoming increasingly concerned with the potential implications a government shutdown would have on essential operations and services.
A government shutdown occurs when Congress and the President fail to reach an agreement that Congress would approve to keep the government running. In this case, President Trump is attempting to implement some of his campaign promises, including providing funding for his Mexican border wall. The Democrat-controlled House, however, has rejected all of Trump’s proposals.
Many everyday Americans are already feeling the effects of what a prolonged government shutdown could bring. If a shutdown were to take effect, many federal employees who are considered “non-essential” would be furloughed, meaning they would be placed on a temporary leave of absence without pay. Departments that do get funded during a shutdown are only done so with a fraction of the regular budget, causing significant delays and backlogs in essential services. This means that average citizens could experience longer wait times for things like tax returns, visas, disability payments, and more.
Despite this uncertain situation, the two parties remain in limbo, unable to come up with a compromise that both sides can agree upon. In the end, a government shutdown may be inevitable and citizens should be aware of the possible impacts it could have on their daily lives. Unfortunately, at the moment no agreement is in sight and only time will tell whether or not a shutdown will come to pass.
