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U.S. Shutdown Enters Third Week, Impacting Civil Servants and Public Access
WASHINGTON D.C. – The United States is experiencing widespread disruption as a federal government shutdown enters its third week,beginning October 13th,with no immediate resolution in sight. A deadlock between Republicans and Democrats in Congress over the federal budget is leaving hundreds of thousands of civil servants furloughed and forcing closures of key public institutions.
The shutdown, which began october 1st, stems from disagreement over funding levels and policy riders attached to the budget. Republicans are advocating for a budget extension maintaining current spending, while Democrats are seeking continued subsidies for health insurance programs for low-income households.
The immediate consequences are being felt across the country. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been placed on temporary leave without pay. Approximately two million federal civil servants face delayed paychecks as long as the impasse continues.
Public access to cultural and natural resources has also been curtailed. Washington D.C.’s public museums closed their doors on Sunday and remain shuttered. National parks, including Carlsbad Caves in New Mexico, are inaccessible to visitors.
Concerns are mounting at airports due to potential staffing shortages caused by absenteeism among air traffic controllers and transport security officers.
Despite the widespread impact, the more than 1.3 million members of the U.S. military are expected to receive their pay on Wednesday as scheduled, following an order from President Trump to allocate funds for military compensation. This move is widely seen as an attempt to maintain public support during the crisis.
Without a budget agreement, costs for health insurance through the “Obamacare” program are projected to more than double for approximately 24 million Americans, according to the KFF, a health policy think tank.
