Shutdown Leaves 1.4M Workers Unpaid, Costs Billions

The federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 has entered its fourth week, leaving about 1.4 million federal workers unpaid and threatening vital services from air traffic to food stamps. Economists warn of mounting costs: the CBO estimates up to $14 billion in economic damage, and the U.S. Chamber says small-business contractors are losing roughly $3 billion a week and faced about $12 billion at risk in October. The Small Business Administration says thousands of firms have been denied capital — nearly $4 billion nationwide — as SBA loan guarantees and approvals are frozen; Virginia alone is losing roughly $17 million weekly as companies struggle. Safety-net programs and local services are being disrupted: states are delaying LIHEAP winter assistance, risking heating help for millions, Guilford County officials are monitoring impacts to WIC and other programs, and key economic reporting including the BLS jobs report has been affected. Congressional leaders have ramped up fragile Senate talks over continuing resolutions and minibus packages with a Nov. 21 framework in view, but negotiations remain unsettled and leave millions in limbo.