Yesterday marked the first day of the partial government shutdown, with Democrats digging their heels in over Medicare subsidies that help millions of people afford their healthcare premiums. While Republicans proposed a stop-gap measure that cut these subsidies, Democrats filibustered the vote.

It’s been seven years since the last government shutdown, which took place December 2018-January 2019. The last one was caused because Trump demanding $5.7 billion to fund the construction of a wall along the border with Mexico. He had promised to close the government if the funding wasn’t included in spending legislation, and the Democrats refused to give in.

What is a government shutdown? Federal government agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, Department of the Interior (i.e. the department that takes care of national parks), the Department of Justice, the Department of Education, etc. They’re funded by the bills passed by the government, their employees are paid by the government, and they are able to stay open and provide services to the people because of government funding. 

These bills, there’s a dozen – one for each department – need to be signed by the president before the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1. Because there are so many, they’re usually lumped together in something called an “omnibus” bill, so when Congress inevitably needs to pass a number of them at the last minute, this speeds up the process. CBS said, “If the funding deadline passes without Congress authorizing more spending, the government must fully or partially shut down, depending on which agencies are already funded.”

This is good, it’s a system that works…decently, and usually provides funding to the 12 departments. However this year, none of the 12 appropriations bills have been enacted. Meaning no money. Although some agencies, like the Defense Department and the Department of Homeland Security, got money in the Republican-passed “one big, beautiful bill.” Which was passed earlier this year. This means these departments will remain funded.

A vote of 60 will pass the chosen proposal, but both the Democratic and the Republican proposals fell short. The Democratic plan was unsuccessful, the votes coming in at 47-53, which would have restored “$1 trillion in Medicaid cuts passed into law this summer on top of a permanent extension of the [Affordable Care Act] subsidies set to expire at the end of the year,” said ABC. 

The Republican proposal failed with a 55-45 vote, five short of the eight Democrats they needed to pass the plan, and yet they still refuse to negotiate terms with the Democrats. Senator Rand Paul was the only Republican to vote against the proposal which would have extended funding for seven weeks.

“In a shutdown, the federal government must stop all non-essential functions until funding is approved by Congress and signed into law, except for programs that are funded by other means, like fees or other legislation,” CBS explains. “Each agency determines what work is essential and what is not. Members of Congress make that determination for their own staff, as well.”

Well that’s just peachy, so what does this mean for college students? Nothing yet. “Yet” being the operative word here. If a government shutdown lasts long enough it can cause a significant disruption to the lives of college students, work-study funding could run out leaving some students with financial difficulties, it could cause the slow or stop to approvals for new visas, renewals or changes in visa category for our international students.

And of course the Education Department – which has already dwindled down to half of what it was as a result of the Trump administration – will also suffer from this shutdown. AP News touches on this subject saying, “Federal financial aid will keep flowing, and student loan payments will still be due. But investigations into civil rights complaints will stop, and the department will not issue new federal grants. About 87% of its workforce will be furloughed, according to a department contingency plan.”

Now this is not to cause anybody panic, this will take a lot more than just one day to affect us – if it will at all. The best thing to do right now is to stay updated with the news and keep a calm, level head. Focus on your schoolwork over the weekend, and if you’re worried, make an appointment with your counselor at Highline College.

People love pointing fingers and this event is no different. Democrats and Republicans had pointed the finger at one another over health care and spending prior to this date. 

“Democrats are shutting down the federal government because President Trump won’t force taxpayers to pay for free health care for illegal aliens,” White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, wrote on X. “Just think about that. Democrat elected representatives are punishing their own constituents to fight for illegals. Deranged.”

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer described the situation as “a crisis” and accused Republicans of lying about health care, stating, “This is a lie. Not a single federal dollar goes to providing health insurance for undocumented immigrants. NOT. ONE. PENNY.” Schumer responded to Leavitt on X. “Republicans would rather lie and shut the government down than protect your health care.” KOMO News talks about this as well.

“President Trump puts Americans first,” the White House also wrote on social media. “Democrats? They put Americans last.” Going so far as to launching a countdown clock on its website prior to the shutdown, writing, “DEMOCRAT SHUTDOWN IS IMMINENT. AMERICANS DON’T AGREE WITH DEMOCRATS’ ACTIONS. LESS THAN 1 HOUR.”

No matter what side you’re on, the “blame game” gets everybody nowhere. We are the UNITED States of America – not the Divided. It is still “We the People”… isn’t it?