Beth Johnson, a military wife and mother of two, is no stranger to the challenges of frequent relocations due to her husband’s service. However, the recent 43-day U.S. government shutdown brought a new level of anxiety she wasn’t prepared for. As one of millions of Americans affected, she breathed a sigh of relief when Congress reached a temporary funding agreement earlier this week. Yet, with the deal set to expire in January, the specter of another shutdown looms large. ‘The uncertainty is crippling,’ Johnson said, emphasizing the strain on families reliant on federal income. The shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, left 1.3 million active-duty military personnel and over 1.4 million federal employees without pay, forcing families to make difficult financial decisions. Johnson’s son even offered to forgo Christmas gifts, saying, ‘It’s okay, we don’t need them.’ The temporary funding agreement ensures federal workers will be paid for the shutdown period and extends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) until September 2024. However, health-insurance subsidies, a key sticking point for Democrats, were excluded, leaving many families like Sierra Bird’s in Florida to navigate ongoing stress. Bird, a mother of four dependent on SNAP, survived the shutdown but now plans to stockpile food in anticipation of another. Meanwhile, Sarah, an archaeologist furloughed during the shutdown, returned to work but remains cautious, delaying expenses and preparing for potential January disruptions. As the countdown to the next funding deadline begins, families like Johnson’s are tightening their belts, saving diligently, and hoping for stability in an increasingly uncertain political climate.
‘We’re just going to go through this again’: Americans fear second government shutdown
