The partial government shutdown in the United States has become the longest in the country’s history, with no end in sight as of January 12, 2019. The shutdown, which began on December 22, 2018, has affected over 800,000 federal employees, with approximately 420,000 working without pay and 380,000 furloughed.
“The full scope was unknown at first,” said Sarah Johnson, a furloughed employee from the National Park Service in Washington D.C., “but as the days turned into weeks, it became clear that this shutdown was going to have a significant impact on our lives and the services we provide to the public.”
The shutdown is a result of a disagreement between President Donald Trump and Congressional Democrats over funding for a border wall along the US-Mexico border. The President has requested $5.7 billion for the wall, while Democrats have offered $1.3 billion for border security measures, but not a wall. As the shutdown continues, its effects are being felt across the country, with national parks being forced to close or operate with limited staff, and food assistance programs facing uncertainty. In addition, the shutdown has resulted in a significant economic impact, with an estimated $1.2 billion in lost productivity per week.
The shutdown has also raised concerns about the impact on the country’s national security, with many homeland security employees working without pay. The economic figure is significant, with some estimating that the shutdown could cost the US economy over $2.5 billion per month. As the shutdown drags on, it is becoming increasingly clear that it will have a lasting impact on the country, and the effects will be felt for months to come. What happens next is anyone’s guess, as lawmakers struggle to find a resolution to the shutdown.
