There are many students who don’t know what a government shutdown entails and how it could potentially affect them personally or someone they know. Understanding what is and what causes a shutdown helps students understand how the government works and how it can influence everyday civilians.
U.S. Government teacher Nick Jury answered the question: what is a government shutdown in simple terms?
“[A] government shutdown is when the federal government cannot decide to pass funding for a period of time. So Congress, or the House of Representatives, has the power of the purse. They have to approve a budget for a time period to keep the government running,” said Jury.
When a shutdown happens it affects a multitude of people including students. During a shutdown parts of the federal government close, which can cause a delay of pay for government employees. Jury mentions just some of the people affected like federal workers, social safety net programs, and public health programs.
“At the local level with programs that deal with students that are low income or homeless, dealing with giving them food benefits at schools. But also, it’s affecting everyday things that we might not think of, like flights. People are having to deal with delayed flights now, especially with the holiday season coming up” Jury said.
Additionally, the recent shutdown has added to concerns of the ever growing gap between Republicans and Democrats, there are many people who refuse to come together in a time of need. Junior Chris Allen talks about how government officials need to come together for the better of Americans.
“There’s the far right and there’s the far left. I believe that neither party’s correct. I can find common ground in certain topics in certain subjects, but right now, I don’t think I can do that with either one. I feel like because of that [division], because of the alienation, and I feel like what’s happening now, nobody can put their big kid pants on.” Said Allen.
There are many reasons why students should be knowledgeable about the shutdown even if they can’t vote. Although students might not be personally affected by what’s happening – or not happening – within our government, it can still be insightful to stay up to date with what’s happening around the world. Allen adds more to why it’s important for students to stay up to date with the recent shutdown.
“[Students] can’t vote now, but in a year or in two years, they can vote, and a lot of these things can help influence how they vote in a couple of years, and your opinions can change,” Allen said. “It’s so important that you educate yourself. “
With the shutdown reaching the longest in presidential history, one should try to stay on top of information and in order to do so, students should make sure they’re using credible sources. It can be easy for politics to become an echo chamber of beliefs by surrounding yourself with only information that aligns with your ideals but it’s necessary to check the reliability of your sources. Junior Tristan Kraft adds the importance of staying up to date with politics.
“I try to keep myself very well educated on topics like [government shutdown], Kraft said. “I try to keep it with reputable sources that I believe, and it’s good to know that all stations that will have political bias, like CNN, the New York Times, and Washington Post are all definitely left leaning, and it’s good to understand that so you know what you’re consuming.
As of November 13, the longest government shutdown in U.S history concludes after 43 days. On day 43, eight senators from democratic caucus halted the protest of coming to monetary agreement and joined republicans in moving financial spending forward. After the prolonged shutdown narrowly passed in the house, President Donald Trump signed the bill to finally end the shutdown. Some programs like financial aid and SNAP benefits could be restored briskly whilst some other programs will prove to be a lengthy effort to rehabilitate. Workers are beginning to return to jobs, receive pay, and flights are slowly being restored back to their original purpose.
