Government Shutdown: Worth it?
- Alexander Christian and Riley Fox
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Alexander Christian and Riley Fox, 12th Grade, Staff Writers
The government shutdown has come to an end. The Senate has officially passed a continuing resolution to reopen the government, with eight Democrats breaking party lines in the vote. Common Sense takes a look at the effect on our community.
The Democratic Senators voted alongside the 52 Republican senators to break the 60 vote filibuster to pass the budget.
More recently, the House of Representatives also passed the budget Continuing Resolution, with President Donald Trump's signature officially re-opening the government.
The shutdown was the longest in United States history, breaking the record set in President Trump’s first term.
Senate Democrats have held the line up until this point in order to prevent Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies from expiring, which could potentially triple insurance costs for millions of Americans. However, it seems with the continued pressure due to expiring Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and gridlock in Washington, vulnerable Democrats in swing districts have decided to vote alongside Republicans.
This comes during a time when many have become disillusioned with democrats as the opposition party.
Kaecia Ferron(‘26), is frustrated that “after all that fighting, [they], what, give up?”
However, many feel differently from Kaecia on the handling of the shutdown from Senate Democrats.
Jonah Schmutter(‘28) says that “the government being reopened is a great thing. . . the concessions that Democrats made are worth it to provide families with SNAP benefits.”
The resolution to the shutdown seems to be coming at a perfect time, as impacted flights have many worried about their upcoming holiday commutes.
Estelle Hannigan(‘26), says that they are still “kinda scared [they] won't get to see family for the holidays.”
Although the shutdown is coming to an end, experts say flight delays and airport crowding will not subside in the short term, with many saying it will take a while for air traffic to return to normal.
Overall, the handling of the shutdown,, will contribute greatly to the outcomes of next year's midterms, as the perceptions of who is at fault for the stalemate in Washington will be on everyone’s minds.
Grace Mills(‘26),, says that “when [Democrats do] things like this, it shifts blame from Republicans to Democrats, which I think is dangerous if Dems want to win in 2026.”
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