Beth Johnson is accustomed to the uncertainty that comes with being a military wife - picking up and moving her family every three years. The crippling anxiety that comes with a US government shutdown, however, is not something she is used to.
She is one of the millions of Americans who sighed a deep breath of relief when politicians in Washington agreed to reopen the government earlier this week. At 43 days, it was the longest shutdown in US history. But that relief could be short-lived, as the funding agreement expires at the end of January, leading Congress into another potential funding crisis.
It really affects every part of your life when your family’s sole source of income comes from the federal government,” Ms. Johnson said. The uncertainty is crippling.
The Tennessee mother of two has lived in seven states since her husband joined the military nearly 20 years ago. With no stable job due to relocating every few years, the Johnson family relies on one income, heightening the stakes with each government shutdown.
Concerns about military pay and federal risk assessments extend beyond Johnson's home. Families across the country are tightening budgets amid worries over future spending cuts, leading to significant lifestyle adjustments. Johnson recalls her son downsizing his Christmas wish list due to financial uncertainties.
Another American, Sierra Bird, who benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also faced firsthand challenges during the shutdown. She expressed relief upon the program's resumption but remains wary about future support amidst ongoing negotiations in Congress.
“What was the point? We’re just going to go through this again probably in January,” Johnson lamented, echoing the sentiment shared by many affected families.
As discussions about health insurance subsidies and federal budgets continue without resolution, citizens are left to navigate the repercussions of political turmoil. Each prospective shutdown looms as an invisible threat, prompting families to prepare and adapt in uncertain times.
With less than 80 days until the next potential shutdown, families like Ms. Johnson's and Ms. Bird's are watching their expenditures closely, knowing that the stakes are higher than just paycheck delays; it’s about maintaining a sense of normalcy amidst chaos.
