US Government Shutdown Leaves 750,000 Federal Workers Unpaid By Day 4

The ongoing US government shutdown has led to significant financial distress for many federal workers and contractors, particularly hourly employees like Willie Price, a 65-year-old contractor who has not worked since the shutdown began and fears losing her home and car due to unpaid bills. Unlike federal employees who are guaranteed back pay, contractors face uncertainty and no compensation during the shutdown, which is expected to continue at least through October 6. Audrey Murray, a security officer at the Smithsonian, also expressed concerns about losing income and struggling to meet living expenses, highlighting the precarious situation for many low-wage federal workers. Federal employees such as Stephanie Rogers and Errick King, furloughed from agencies like the FDA and Bureau of Fiscal Management, have shared their personal struggles, emphasizing the emotional and financial toll of the shutdown. Additionally, tensions persist within federal agencies, with reports of animosity from government officials toward federal workers amid threats of mass firings and extended shutdowns. The situation underscores the broader impact of the shutdown on the livelihoods and well-being of federal employees and contractors nationwide.