How Women and Families Could Be Affected by a Government Shutdown

Government shutdowns often inspire fear as Americans grapple with what it will mean for them and their families.

Currently, funding for the fiscal year 2025 is set to end at midnight tonight. Congress must pass either a budget or a continuing resolution by then to ensure that the government can continue to operate.

Conservatives in the House passed a “clean” continuing resolution (or funding bill) to fund the government at current spending levels. This means there are no partisan provisions attached to this funding bill. Now, the Senate needs to pass the CR to keep the lights on in Washington.

Conservatives in the Senate require Democrats to join them in passing the measure. Democratic lawmakers are holding out support as leverage for $1.5 trillion of spending they want restored, despite voting 13 times during the Biden Administration for a clean CR. (Read more in my other post: 3 Things Americans Should Know About The Government Shutdown.)

What to Expect from a Government Shutdown

While few people want a government shutdown, let’s put this in historical context. Since FY 1982, there have been 14 temporary shutdowns, most of which lasted less than three days. The longest shutdown was a 34-day lapse in FY 2019, caused by Democrats’ opposition to border security funding.

Fears of widespread hardship during a government shutdown are putting Americans on alert. Let’s understand what happens to critical government functions and how they impact Americans. 

Here’s what a government shutdown means for women and families:

1. Social Security checks will not stop. Women and families need to know that most of the social safety net services they depend on will continue. Many programs, projects, and activities are funded outside of the appropriations process. Only about 27% of the federal budget is funded by annual appropriations; 73% of spending is not contingent on appropriations bills, such as Social Security and Medicare. This is good news for retirees, the disabled, and poor families who cannot afford a disruption to their support.
   
   The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provides guidance on the employees who are necessary to carry out government functions, such as processing entitlement benefits, and they may be deemed as excepted from furloughs so that operations can continue. However, those applying for new Social Security or veterans benefits may see longer wait times for their applications.
2. Critical feeding programs could be disrupted. Unfortunately, some programs that provide meals and food to vulnerable women and children could see disruptions if the shutdown is prolonged. The federal Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, for example, could run out of funding and be halted for a period of time.
3. Public safety and national security will not be sacrificed. Women and families do not have to worry about the police not responding to 9-1-1 calls or the military not defending our nation. Law enforcement and the military will remain on the job, but without pay until the shutdown concludes. Thankfully, both groups will eventually be reimbursed once the government is funded and reopens, which is usually within a few days.
4. Minor inconveniences could affect travel. Travelers may see minor delays while flying if airport workers, who are not furloughed, stop working without pay for an extended period of time. Visitors to national parks should be able to continue to visit the great outdoors as well, but they may not see as many park rangers or may not be able to utilize the facilities as normal. 

Federal workers and contractors could face the biggest hardships

Federal workers, who are not deemed essential, will be furloughed without pay during a shutdown. Essential workers, such as service members, must work but without pay. All federal workers can expect back pay when the government reopens. Federal contractors may also get furloughed, but they do not get back pay. In addition, the Trump administration may move forward with layoffs across the federal government if the shutdown occurs. 

For federal workers, the uncertainty of how long the shutdown will last may place them in challenging financial positions. Charities that provide food and financial assistance will become all the more critical during prolonged furloughs.

Bottom Line

Americans don’t want dysfunction in Washington. They are also tired of excessive spending in the nation’s capital. Just as family budgets have tightened, Americans expect policymakers to be more restrained with their tax dollars. 

The House-passed clean continuing resolution continues current spending levels for a few weeks while Congress can pass a new budget, one that would reduce federal spending. Obligating an additional $1.5 trillion of taxpayer dollars just to keep the government open is an irresponsible position for Democrats in the Senate to take. If the government shuts down and hardship ensues, it will be because of their obstinacy.