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By Alim Useini and Jonah Marshall, Staff Writers
The federal government shut down on October 1 at midnight after Democrats and Republicans failed to agree on funding for the new fiscal year. Congress must pass 12 appropriation bills to fund government programs like education, defense, and transportation, but none have passed.
Normally, the House drafts a funding bill, sends it to the Senate, and then to the President’s desk. This year, the process broke down completely. As the shutdown continues past its sixth week, it has become the longest in U.S. history, surpassing the 35-day shutdown of 2018–2019.
Why the shutdown happened
Democratic argument: Democrats want to extend the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) subsidies before they expire that were put in place during the COVID pandemic. They argue that if the subsidies are reduced to pre-COVID levels, millions of Americans could lose health coverage and face higher monthly premiums.
Republican argument: Republicans say the subsidies were only meant to be temporary and that expanding them would cost about $35 billion per year, adding to the national debt. They also supported a continuing resolution, which would keep government funding at last year’s levels until a long-term deal could be reached.
Even though Republicans hold narrow control of both chambers and the White House, the funding bill passed by the House failed in the Senate because of a filibuster. The Senate allows unlimited debate on bills, and it takes 60 votes to move forward. With 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats, at least eight Democrats would have to join Republicans to end debate. After Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) voted against the bill, it stalled.
| # of persons in household | Federal Poverty Level (FPL) | X 400% | 2025 eligibility |
| 1 | $15,650 | X 400% | $62,600 |
| 2 | $21,150 | X 400% | $84,600 |
| 3 | $26,650 | X 400% | $106,600 |
| 4 | $32,150 | X 400% | $128,600 |
| 5 | $37,650 | X 400% | $150,600 |
| 6 | $43,150 | X 400% | $172,600 |
| 7 | $48,650 | X 400% | $194,600 |
| 8 | $54,150 | X 400% | $216,600 |
Households must meet the above income levels, be US citizens or legal residents, and file tax returns jointly, if married, for households larger than one person. They must not qualify for other health insurance programs as well such as an employer-based plan that is less than 9.02 percent of household income, or for Medicaid, Medicare or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The claim that undocumented residents can receive the ACA subsidies is false.
The real-world impact
While shutdowns often sound like political gridlock in Washington, the impact is being felt nationwide. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are furloughed or working without pay. National parks and museums are closed, and food safety inspections, housing programs, and research have been disrupted.
Programs such as SNAP, WIC, and Head Start face major funding problems, affecting families and children across the country. For people living paycheck to paycheck, a delayed government check can cause serious financial strain.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the shutdown is costing the economy around $15 billion per week. The 2018–2019 shutdown cost about $11 billion total, with $3 billion of that never recovered. The longer this one lasts, the worse the ripple effects become, from missed paychecks to small business losses.
Professor Navratil’s perspective
To better understand the political and economic impact, The Glacier spoke with Professor Kevin Navratil, who teaches political science at Moraine Valley.
“Unfortunately, shutdowns aren’t as rare in the U.S. as they should be,” Navratil said. “It is complicated to fully understand all the reasons for the current shutdown, but it can be partly blamed on the political system’s separation of powers and checks and balances, and increasing political polarization. I think the citizens and government workers are hurt the most by shutdowns.”
Navratil warned that the longer the shutdown continues, the worse the effects will be.
“The pain and consequences will only get worse with time for federal workers, students, and those who receive government assistance. The consequences to the U.S. economy will be at least $15 billion per week, but could have multiplier effects for months or even years,” he said.
He added that this situation reflects a growing pattern in U.S. politics.
“Playing political hardball to use what limited leverage the party out of power has will likely continue,” Navratil said. “One can agree with the reasons why Democrats are insisting the ACA subsidy enhancements be extended, yet also worry about the longer-term consequences. Democrats didn’t set this precedent, but they are likely increasing the likelihood that Republicans will retaliate if and when they are the party out of power.”
Polls currently show that Republicans are receiving more public blame for the shutdown, which Navratil says is typical.
“Ideally, shutdowns wouldn’t happen in the first place and perhaps spending should just continue as it was budgeted for the prior fiscal year until a new budget could be agreed upon,” he said. “However, since that isn’t the way our government handles this situation, I think there should be compromises made to put the interests of the American people and government workers first.”
Navratil also said that professors can help students understand these real-world moments.
“I held an event in the library and we discuss it in the classroom nearly every day,” he said. His full discussion can be found on rthe Library’s YouTube page. The full video is embedded to the left.
Why students should care
This shutdown is a reminder that government inaction has real consequences for everyday people. It affects paychecks, education, and the economy, but it also shapes how citizens view democracy.
For students, it’s a call to stay informed and engaged. Political apathy only strengthens gridlock. Understanding why cooperation matters is the first step toward demanding better leadership and accountability.
A government shutdown may seem like a Washington problem, but its effects reach every community. It’s not just about politics. It’s about people, priorities, and the kind of country we want to live in.
