Federal Workers Endure Month-Long U.S. Government Shutdown

The ongoing government shutdown has severely impacted federal workers, particularly military service members and essential personnel like TSA agents, who are working without pay, causing financial strain and resentment. Republicans have criticized Democrats, such as Greg Landsman, for voting against measures to keep paychecks flowing, accusing them of prioritizing politics over patriotism. In Minnesota, affected federal workers are taking gig jobs, substitute teaching, and relying on food shelves to cope with lost income amid fears about job security. The labor union for federal employees has unexpectedly supported Republicans by urging Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution to end the shutdown and provide back pay. This union support has put pressure on Democrats, who have tied shutdown resolution to health care subsidy extensions, intensifying political tensions. Senate leaders like Ted Cruz and Susan Collins have echoed the call to reopen the government, emphasizing the unfair hardship on federal workers, some of whom continue working without pay or face job losses.