A government shutdown may sound abstract in Washington, but it’s real and it affects all Americans. NPR reporters across the country are digging in to what that means in their communities.
A shutdown stalls critical agencies’ work and costs the economy a fortune, not just during the lapse in funding but even before it happens. For example, agencies must pad contracts and budgets to account for the possibility of a lapse in appropriations. As a result, projects stall and procurement cycles grind to a halt, impacting the quality of services delivered to the American public.
Shutdowns also cost taxpayers money because federal workers deemed “non-essential” are required to work during a shutdown without pay. Some agencies, like the Smithsonian and national parks, must close because of staff shortages that lead to vandalism, littering and the defacement of historic sites. Meanwhile, those employees who are required to work during a shutdown must find other ways to cover their living expenses until the government reopens.
The people who serve this country day in and out aren’t looking for partisan spin when they stand in line for food banks or struggle to make mortgage payments. Congress must stop the brinksmanship that leads to shutdowns and reopen the government with a clean continuing resolution. This isn’t about politics; it’s about the paychecks that our troops and federal employees deserve to receive.
