Amanda Ross

Editor-In-Chief

This article was originally published on October 1.

As of 9 a.m. this morning, the government has entered a shutdown after failing to pass a spending bill. While services like Social Security and United States Postal Service will continue functioning, a number of other vital services could be affected. 

The stalemate came from a disagreement over proposals within the spending bill that would reverse cuts made in the Big Beautiful Bill to Medicaid. Democrats have refused to support any bill that does not address healthcare concerns such as the cuts, including a funding proposal from Republicans that would’ve funded the government through Nov. 21. Essential workers, like air traffic controllers and certain members of the VA, will continue to work despite the shutdown to make sure crucial services remain available to the nation. However, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are now furloughed, or unable to work until the government resumes operations. 

While legislation passed in 2019 does mean workers will be paid for the time missed once the government does reopen, the uncertainty of how long the shutdown will last leaves employees in an uneasy position. As well, President Trump has said that he would use a shutdown to conduct layoffs, as a way of placing pressure on Congress. The American Federation of Government Employees, a prevalent union for government employees, has already sued the administration to prevent such a measure from happening.   

It is unclear what, if any local services will be affected by this shutdown, as Erie’s post, social security, food stamps, and Veterans Affairs offices will still operate. Presque Isle will not be affected because it is a state park under Pennsylvania’s jurisdiction, being merely a national natural landmark rather than a national park like Yellowstone. As of current, there is no indication this shutdown will affect Penn State.