Some members of Congress believe that shutting down the government can be a powerful political statement and a way to steer the country in a different direction
While a government shutdown is not catastrophic, it's detrimental to the American people
The current government shutdown drama is a clear failure of elected representatives to fulfill their responsibilities to the public
Approximately two-thirds of government spending is mandatory and won't be affected by the shutdown, including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
Certain multi-year investments, like the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure law, will continue unaffected by congressional inaction
Agencies will prioritize services necessary for life and property preservation, reducing the visible impact of the shutdown on the public
A government shutdown will waste billions of dollars and damage the government's ability to address future challenges
Shutdowns erode public trust in government, which is already at a low point
Shutdowns harm federal employees' ability to provide vital services, even if they eventually receive back pay
The shutdown affects national parks, loan applications, food safety inspections, disease surveillance, and government hiring, causing numerous hardships and inefficiencies