Beth Johnson is accustomed to the uncertainty that comes with being a military wife - picking up and moving her family every three years. However, the crippling anxiety that comes with a US government shutdown 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 after the longest shutdown in US history, lasting 43 days.
But the relief could be short-lived, as the funding agreement expires at the end of January, prompting Congress to face the same spending challenges once again.
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 a significant reliance on one income, uncertain payment schedules from the government have left families like hers with difficult choices.
Approximately 1.3 million active-duty personnel must serve during government shutdowns potentially without pay, although the government has occasionally reallocated funds to ensure service members still receive their wages.
Throughout the shutdown, family members were forced to make sacrifices. Ms. Johnson recalled a moment when her son suggested forgoing Christmas gifts due to the financial strain. It’s okay we don’t need them, he said.
Frustration is palpable among families affected by government mishaps. Ms. Johnson questioned, What was it all for? Why were we suffering over 40 days in uncertainty?
The recent funding agreement not only extends government operations for two months but assures that all federal workers will be compensated for the time lost during the shutdown.
With the threat of another shutdown looming, individuals like Sierra Bird, who depend on programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are already changing their habits. Ms. Bird, a Florida mother of four, expressed her relief as her benefits resumed, yet acknowledged the need to stockpile supplies for potential future losses.
As the clock counts down to the next possible shutdown, families prepare cautiously, aiming to stabilize their finances against the unpredictability of government decisions. The upcoming months will see many tightening their belts and strategizing for continued instability.
