"This has been incredibly stressful," said Sarah Pinter, who didn't expect to be furloughed from her first "real" job after graduating from college
Washington — Approximately 800,000 federal employees have been furloughed or are working without pay because of the prolonged partial government shutdown — the longest in U. S. history. Friday marks the 35th day of the shutdown and the second missed payday for workers in nine federal departments.
The White House and congressional leaders continue to be locked in an impasse over budget negotiations to end the shutdown. Two measures to reopen the government — one endorsed by President Trump and GOP leadership and another backed by Democrats — failed to pass in the Senate on Thursday.
On Friday, federal employees from different agencies and with diverse perspectives explained how the gridlock in Washington has affected their lives. Some workers chose not to disclose their surnames or the government agency that employs them.
Erika, a furloughed federal worker, said the stalemate in negotiations on Capitol Hill is fueled by a « power struggle » between the president and lawmakers. « It’s unfortunate that we’re being used as pawns, » she told CBS News, adding later, « How are you holding your civil servants hostage? »
Erika said she and her husband, a fellow federal employee who’s working without pay, have been relying on their savings and the « generosity » of financial institutions to make ends meet since the shutdown started.
