The federal government has been partially shut down since October 1, as Congress has failed to agree on an annual budget. The shutdown has imminent consequences for the health and well-being of millions of Americans whose paychecks are being withheld, and food access is being threatened.

 

More than one million federal employees are currently going unpaid. Missing paychecks could force them to dip into their savings, take on credit card debt, work extra jobs, or struggle to meet their own and their families’ basic needs.

 

If the shutdown continues into November, benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) could be delayed. Every month, 42 million people with low incomes rely on SNAP to afford food. A prolonged shutdown could also jeopardize the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits. Every month, 6.7 million pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and children under age five with low incomes rely on WIC to afford nutritious food. 

 

While Congress continues to get paid, the American people, including some of our most vulnerable community members, don’t have their most basic needs met. This is simply unacceptable. 

 

We must protect the health and well-being of our neighbors. Tell Congress to set aside partisan politics and come together to end the shutdown now.