Shutdown Showdown: What it Tells About US Politics and How It Will Affect You

Article by: Amelia Finley / Graphic by: Jillian Hartshorne

The government shutdown, a cluster of confusing political science jargon, opposing viewpoints from the right, left, and everyone in between, but how does it affect Americans, all Americans?

On October 1, 2025, the government entered a shutdown, the first one in about seven years. It is common that there are disagreements in Congress when finalizing the passing of a bill before it advances to the President, so he can then sign the bill into law. This time, it did not make it past Congress. In this particular bill, which would have been the new federal budget, President Trump made some serious financial cuts, mostly to nationwide health care systems for all Americans. The democrats in the House and Congress wanted to see more funding for other government healthcare organizations, as well as an extension of expiring tax credits that would make health insurance cheaper for millions of Americans. The left-leaning voters wanted one last issue: the reversal of the cuts to Medicaid, a nationwide healthcare program for the elderly, lower-class, and disabled Americans. In order to end the shut down both parties will have to come to a compromise that Trump will agree to sign into law. It is a positive move for the democratic officials not to fold under high pressures from the right; many believe they folded much too quickly in March 2025, the last time the federal budget was voted upon. Additionally, voters on both sides have opted to reopen the government, but have failed.

Furthermore, the government is shut down, but that does not mean everything is put to a complete halt. Many organizations under the US government that receive funding and a paycheck from the federal government are still up and running. Organizations such as the Postal Services, the airport officials, and more are still functioning, and employees are still going to work, although everything is running much less efficiently. These government-funded workers are still showing up for duty, but not getting paid. Although many organizations are still up and running, not all of them are. Those organizations that are non-essential–such as National Park services, IRS, and federal research projects–are completely shut down.

The shutdown has (and will) cause even greater economic and social impacts than already listed. Programs such as SNAPs, a government-funded organization that provides funding to low-income families in the hope of ending food insecurity, are also facing funding cuts. Just a few days ago, on November 1st, the SNAP benefits were terminated, leaving families with limited access to nutritious food. To continue, the shutdown will have lasting effects on America’s economic growth and security. Americans who work as contracted employees with the government are also facing job loss and an unpredictable future in their careers. The same is true for many Americans during the shutdown. The future is unknown, but we know now how the shutdown affects America as a whole.

Works Cited:

https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/explore/about-congress

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74jden8ddxo

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrj1znp0pyo

https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program