What Was the Shutdown For?

"Congress appears to be moving- slowly-toward a deal to end the longest government shutdown ever. In the past forty days, the Administration, backed by the Supreme Court, cut food-stamp benefits for more than forty million people. The Federal Aviation Administration took the unprecedented step of reducing operations at forty airports around the country. And hundreds of thousands of federal workers have not been paid. Most were furloughed, but many others-judged as "essential" by the Trump Administration-have had to keep showing up."

"Last week, just before their second missed paycheck, the essential employees at a Social Security Administration complex in Queens received an ardent e-mail from their managers. "We are more than just co-workers, we are a community," the message began. "During this current government shutdown, we are setting up a food pantry where employees can either donate non-perishable food items or seek assistance.""

"Another e-mail to the Queens office declared "Spirit Day Friday." Morale was obviously a problem. "Let's try and keep each other's spirits up!!!" the note said in bold red type. "We are a team not just because we work together but because we understand and care for each other. ... let's show this team spirit by wearing our favorite team apparel! Whether it's a jersey, hoodie, jacket, or hat, let's spread positive"

Congress moved slowly toward ending the longest government shutdown, during which food-stamp benefits were cut for over forty million people and the FAA reduced operations at forty airports. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers went unpaid; many were furloughed while others deemed essential continued working without pay. Social Security staff in Queens received manager emails announcing a workplace food pantry and morale-boosting initiatives as employees faced missed paychecks. The pantry displayed canned and packaged staples while workers continued processing applications for poor and disabled Americans despite personal financial hardship and low morale.

Read at The New Yorker