The official government shut down began on Oct. 1st, 2025, three weeks in, citizens of the United States are being affected by this decision. This shutdown may hit close to home for many Nebraska’s residents, including members of our school system. Districts like Niobrara rely on federal dollars for more than 40% of their funding. Luckily, Omaha Public Schools receives most of our funding from state aid, which is not affected by funding from the federal government.

Several states are threatening to stop distributing nutritional services like SNAP for the upcoming months if this shutdown prolongs past Oct. 27th. Although other nutritional services, like WIC, have received $300 million in support, they are also at risk of being delayed if they do not continue to receive funding.

Luckily, services like FAFSA, social security, and Medicare are expected to continue as normal. Yet, many professionals working for the federal government are facing unrest due to changes from the shutdown. The Transportation Security Administration, also known as TSA agents, are being forced to work without pay. This could further disrupt function in the airport, compromising the safety of passengers in and out of the airport.

“I am traveling soon, and I’m very worried by how the shutdown may affect things like airport security and air traffic control,” Social studies teacher Joshua Jablonski said.

Our national guards and other branches of the military are also being forced to work without pay. When one party is affected, everyone is affected.

“It is hard for everyone,” National guardsman Daitrick Hayes said, “In my scenario, it shifts the work onto contractors due to civilian and military personnel not being funded.”

The lack of financial stability can cause mental anguish for those worried about living without a paycheck.

“Further, (the shutdown) hurts and breaks bonds due to some having to work for with no pay for the foreseeable future,” Hayes said.

The shutdown originally began over a disagreement between democrats and republicans over how to resolve a budget dispute regarding healthcare.

As an American government teacher, Jablonski is extremely disappointed with the way the leaders have handled the shutdown.

“I think it is bad for the psyche of the country to have a constant ‘us vs them’ argument mentality between republicans, democrats, the president and Congress,” Jablonski said. “I think a government shutdown where there is a lot of blame being thrown around could just further the division within the country.”

The shutdown is highlighting an ongoing issue in American society: affordable healthcare.

The government shut down began because of a bill about continuing funding for the Affordable Care Act. Democrats believed the increased tax credits from the COVID-19 should continue into 2025, while republicans believed the bill should not continue due to the increasing amount of money spent to maintain it.

“Healthcare access seems to be a big part of the shutdown where some members of Congress want to bring back more funding for people that are in need of healthcare.” Jablonski said, “I believe it’s important for people to have access to affordable healthcare, and I hope that as the government gets reopened that healthcare funding will be restored in some capacity.”

Overall, the shutdown continues to affect, and will continue, affecting millions of Americans lives.