The federal government has been partially shut down for more than 30 days, easily the longest shutdown in U.S. history, as congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump quarrel over the president’s demand for funding for a southern border wall. The consequences of this shutdown range from federal workers working without pay — or being furloughed — to families fearing the government assistance they rely on will run dry before Trump and Democrats reach a solution.
As of September 2017, about 1.2 percent of federal employees, or 22,600 workers, were in Indiana. It’s unclear exactly how many of those employees are based in Indianapolis, but the city does have three federal buildings and a major airport. Nationally, about 380,000 workers are on furlough while about 420,000 work without pay, though those numbers could fluctuate as agencies call employees back to do what is considered essential work.
A common theme from federal workers who make media appearances is a sense of dedication to their country. Arnold Scott, vice president of the American Federation of Government Employees’ (AFGE) sixth district, which includes Indiana, said it’s the same kind of sentiment here.
“These workers, they’re dedicated,” he said. “They’re committed to public service. They just want to do their job. The president should do his job, and Congress should do its job. [Workers] shouldn’t be political pawns put in the middle of something they don’t have anything to do with.”
Scott used to work for the U.S. Army and has been vice president of the sixth district for 20 years. He said the advice he’s been giving to federal workers is to comply with the agency they work for: If they’re asking you to wait it out, do that, and if they need you to come back in and work for free, do that. Trump has signed a bill guaranteeing back pay for federal employees, but that will only happen when the government reopens.
Scott said he hasn’t heard very much talk of workers quitting their government jobs to join the private sector, but it’s a possibility that grows more likely with each passing payday. Federal workers will miss at least two full paychecks. The average salary for a federal employee in Indiana was about $74,500 in 2017, according to salary data released last year.
The Trump administration has appeared tone deaf at times throughout the shutdown. White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett said on “PBS NewsHour” some federal workers could be “better off” when the shutdown ends because they’re getting a vacation (without pay) right now and don’t have to use their vacation days. Of unpaid federal workers, Trump told reports earlier this month, without any evidence, “many of those people agree 100 percent with what I’m doing.” This is a claim he has repeated often.
Along with federal workers waiting for their next paycheck, many Hoosiers are wondering if the government assistance they rely on will run out of funding before the government reopens. The good news is this hasn’t become a major issue yet, but that won’t be the case if the shutdown continues much longer.
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) issued Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits earlier than usual in January for the month of February. However, FSSA won’t have the funds to issue SNAP benefits in February for the month of March. According to an FSSA press release, recipients are “strongly encouraged to budget their SNAP benefits to ensure the amount received provides for their food needs through the entire month of February.”
The news is not as grim for those who receive benefits from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Federal TANF funding expired in December when the shutdown began, but FSSA spokesperson Jim Gavin said there have been “no impacts” to the TANF program. This is because the government requires each state to contribute a fixed amount of its own money each year, and many states have unused federal money they can use to bridge the gap.
With Trump’s continued demands for a southern border wall, and Democrats’ unwillingness to give that to the president, the shutdown is moving along without much sign of things getting back to normal soon. The biggest move so far was when Trump offered a couple of protections for immigrants, including a three-year extension for the Deferred Action or Childhood Arrivals program, in exchange for his wall. Democrats quickly dismissed the proposal. A Washington Post-ABC News poll published Jan. 13 found 53 percent of Americans blame Trump and Republicans for the shutdown.
Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick.
Discounts and freebies for federal workers
J. Williams Barbershop
Anthony Williamson is offering free haircuts to government employees until the shutdown ends.
When: Hours vary Tuesday through Saturday
Where: 5049 E. 10th St.
Contact: 317-519-0701
Books and Brews
University of Indianapolis, Quest Food Management Services and Books and Brews are giving free meals to government employees and their immediate family affected by the shutdown. Government ID is required.
When: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Friday
Where: 3808 S. Shelby St.
Contact: 317-788-3530
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Government employees can get two free tickets for shows through Feb. 10 while supplies last. Government ID is required.
Shows: Jan. 25-26 (Urbanski Conducts Mendelssohn), Jan. 31 and Feb. 1-2 (Rachmaninoff’s Third Symphony), Feb. 9-10 (Zukerman Leads the ISO)
Where: Hilbert Circle Theatre box office, 45 Monument Circle
Contact: 317-639-4300
Indianapolis Zoo
Government employees and their immediate family can get free parking and admission at the zoo through March 31. A government ID and recent pay stub are required.
When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. January and February, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily in March
Where: 1200 W. Washington St.
Contact: 317-630-2001
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Government workers and up to three immediate family members get free admission to the children’s museum through March 10. A government ID and most recent pay stub are required.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
Where: 3000 N. Meridian St.
Contact: 317-334-4000
Union members and other federal employees protest the government shutdown on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Andrew Harnik
