On Friday, October 24th, after 24 days of the government shutdown in the United States, federal employees lined up to receive community food aid as they faced the first day of not receiving their full pay.
Friday was the day when most government employees were supposed to receive their first full month’s salary. Air traffic controllers will receive their first full pay next Tuesday (28th), but the absence of payment has led to a decrease in attendance, potentially causing more flight delays.
According to NBC, the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington D.C. provided free boxed meals, household supplies, and personal hygiene products on Friday, with over 250 federal employees queuing up to receive supplies.
Local pastor Wil Stroman introduced the relief institution, which is specifically set up for federal workers and is open on Fridays until the government shutdown comes to an end.
Anthony Speight, a federal employee of 17 years, found himself on furlough for the first time. He mentioned to NBC News, “I used to be a budget manager, responsible for managing federal budget allocations and providing assistance. Now, I find myself in line to apply for assistance.”
“Never did I expect” to seek help from the community, Speight said. He revealed that his unpaid bills have been piling up. “I have a car loan, I need to support my children, take care of my family, and I also have a mortgage,” he said.
He stated that if federal workers don’t get paid, the salaries of members of Congress should also be withheld.
Congress is responsible for passing the government’s operational expenses, but a lack of consensus on a short-term spending bill between the two parties led to the shutdown.
During the shutdown, members of Congress can continue to receive their salaries, although there have been proposals to withhold their pay by a minority of lawmakers.
However, the assistance provided by food banks is only a temporary solution for some federal workers. Pamela Lewis, who has been furloughed, expressed that without more government support, the unpaid situation is unsustainable for everyone.
This week, the Senate failed for the 12th time to advance the Republican short-term government funding bill, with no senator changing their voting position. Both Republicans and Democrats are blaming each other for the situation.
On Thursday, a bill proposed by Republicans to pay the wages of military personnel and essential federal workers during the shutdown failed to pass in the Senate.
With no end in sight to the government shutdown, Lewis sighed and said that the only thing federal employees could do is to “keep holding on.”
She said, “As the saying goes, keep pushing until there’s a breakthrough. You have to stay strong and not let it break you.”