Anyone who has been on social media or following the news lately has likely heard discussions about a “government shutdown.” But what does that actually mean, and how does it affect students?
“A government shutdown is when the U.S. government is operating without a budget,” said Michael McMullan, a Civics Literacy teacher at Athens Drive. “It still has money, but since there’s no approved plan for where that money is going, there’s a freeze on most spending.”
Congress and the President must agree on how to allocate the country’s funds each year. When they don’t, things start to shut down. According to McMullan, the biggest impact hits government workers first, meaning airport workers, park rangers, food inspectors, and others could be working without pay, or not working at all.
“Most of them aren’t getting paid,” McMullan said. “And some of them still have to go to work anyway.”
For everyday people, the effects appear gradually but can cause significant problems. Programs that help families get food, like SNAP and WIC, could stop sending payments; air traffic controllers might quit or get overworked; and students could start seeing delays in things like financial aid or FAFSA applications.
Most public schools won’t feel much of a difference at first, since they get most of their money from state and local governments. But if the shutdown goes on too long, student aid and college programs might slow down.
“I feel like it’s something people my age don’t really talk about,” said Essie Lanser, a student at Athens Drive. “But it’s good to know what’s going on because it can end up affecting us—especially when it comes to school or money for college.”
Shutdowns happen when lawmakers in Congress can’t agree on government spending. McMullan explained that before the 1980s, shutdowns were rare. Now they have become more common as a way for politicians to make a point during funding disagreements. During a shutdown, some government offices close, and federal workers may not get paid until funding is restored.
When asked why it’s important for young people to understand this stuff, McMullan said, “If you don’t pay attention to what’s going on in government, you’re letting other people make decisions for you.” McMullan also added that staying informed doesn’t have to be stressful. “If it’s too much, do something small—talk to a friend, donate to a cause, or message your local representative,” he said.
Even though students might think politics doesn’t affect them, they do. A government shutdown can slow down programs that help families, schools, and students.
“We should be learning about this more in school, because one day it’s going to be our generation making these decisions,” said Lanser.
