https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House#/media/File:White_House,_Blue_Sky.jpg

Background

On October 1st, 2025, the U.S. Government shut down for the first time in nearly seven years. The reasons being several disputes between the Republicans and Democrats, regarding a bill funding government services and an extension of health care tax credits. 

The bill needed to fund government services has not been passed because of the shortage of 60 votes in the Senate, which the Democrats are not voting on with the intention of negotiating an extension on the tax credits that are soon to expire. These credits allow cheaper health insurance for the millions of Americans on the Affordable Care Act, which is why the Democrats are not willing to budge so easily. According to the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, “The Democrat’s current position is that the only way the American government can reopen is if illegal aliens can get free healthcare.” 

As long as neither side comes to a compromise–the Republicans not allowing an extension of the tax credits, or the Democrats not voting on passing the bill to fund government services, the shutdown will persist. 

What happens when the Government shuts down?

When annual spending bills for government services are not passed, several government operations can be temporarily delayed; the impacts can vary depending on how long the shutdown continues. 

Services that may be delayed or disrupted include museums, zoos, mortgage applications, food and health assistance, government checks, and other federally funded operations. 

What are the effects of the shutdown?

Currently, the Department of Health and Human Resources and the Treasury Department are being hit the hardest with layoffs. People in the Department of Education, specifically those working in special education; Housing and Urban Development employees; and the Department or Energy workers, are some of the many being affected by the RIF (reduce in force) or are being temporarily furloughed. 

Layoffs of federal workers has persisted in order to continue funding government services. These services, including the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food program, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), need sufficient funding; however, laying off thousands of workers will not nearly be enough to provide. 

Regarding school lunches, the National School Lunch Program will be able to continue to provide free and/or low cost lunches to students. However, if the shutdown persists for a prolonged period of time, the funding allowing these lunches will not be able to continue. With this concern on the rise, Samuel McCloy says, “I really hope the free school lunches don’t go away. I’m always in a rush before school starts so it’s helpful to have something to eat during school. It’s also good because I have practice after school.”