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Financial realities of shutdown hit federal workers, military families

A judge ruled Wednesday to temporarily block the Trump administration's efforts to fire more federal employees.

Financial realities of shutdown hit federal workers, military families

A judge ruled Wednesday to temporarily block the Trump administration's efforts to fire more federal employees.

Washington News Bureau logo
Updated: 5:11 PM CDT Oct 15, 2025
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Financial realities of shutdown hit federal workers, military families

A judge ruled Wednesday to temporarily block the Trump administration's efforts to fire more federal employees.

Washington News Bureau logo
Updated: 5:11 PM CDT Oct 15, 2025
Editorial Standards
The government shutdown has now stretched into a third week, causing significant financial and personal strain for federal workers and military families as it drags on.On Wednesday, a judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration's efforts to fire federal employees, impacting some 4,000 workers who have been let go since the start of the shutdown.But earlier in the day, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought said that the administration plans to continue to fire federal workers to "stay on offense for the American taxpayer." Meanwhile, the human cost of the shutdown is becoming real.Military spouse Alicia Blevins says the situation has become a personal and financial crisis. Since the shutdown's start, Blevins says her family has struggled to pay bills after being forced to dip into savings. And, though the administration promised a full paycheck for military families this week, Blevins remains anxious about missing the next one."It's the anxiety of all of it," Blevins said. "I was anxiety-ridden up until we got (the) paycheck and now I'm at the bottom of the barrel again, going, 'What's going to happen in two weeks?'" Blevins says she has applied to as many jobs as possible to stay afloat, but several, she says, have been put on hold due to the shutdown. She's now turned to other resources and help, including nonprofit organization Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN).Chief Advancement Officer Kara Pappas says the organization launched an emergency grocery support program this week, including 1,600 food packages available for military families impacted by the shutdown. Pappas says, in just 24 hours, 6,000 verified military families have reached out for support "During normal times, food insecurity runs at a rate of 24% for active duty families," Pappas said. "And that's not during a government shutdown, so this moment really puts families at a very fragile place." The shutdown is worrying scientists, like NIH researcher Mark Histed too, who says he is one of the few employees still working without a paycheck. He says his bigger concern is disrupted funding to public health research."I'm worried about my ability to be able to do science, something that I've spent a long time working really hard to try to do," Histed said. "American science is being destroyed. Cancer research is being destroyed. Neuroscience research, brain research...all that is being destroyed."With concerns over the impact of the shutdown only expected to grow, at least a couple of Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to designate funding to pay military members during the shutdown. And, at least two Democrats have discussed similar legislation to pay the military and other federal workers.The shutdown's ripple effect is also spreading to seniors. The Social Security Administration announced a delay in its annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) announcement by a week. COLA determines the increase recipients will receive in their monthly checks based on inflation. Many experts expect a 2.7% increase.Watch the latest coverage on the federal government shutdown:

The government shutdown has now stretched into a third week, causing significant financial and personal strain for federal workers and military families as it drags on.

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On Wednesday, a judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration's efforts to fire federal employees, impacting some 4,000 workers who have been let go since the start of the shutdown.

But earlier in the day, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought said that the administration plans to continue to fire federal workers to "stay on offense for the American taxpayer."

Meanwhile, the human cost of the shutdown is becoming real.

Military spouse Alicia Blevins says the situation has become a personal and financial crisis. Since the shutdown's start, Blevins says her family has struggled to pay bills after being forced to dip into savings. And, though the administration promised a full paycheck for military families this week, Blevins remains anxious about missing the next one.

"It's the anxiety of all of it," Blevins said. "I was anxiety-ridden up until we got (the) paycheck and now I'm at the bottom of the barrel again, going, 'What's going to happen in two weeks?'"

Blevins says she has applied to as many jobs as possible to stay afloat, but several, she says, have been put on hold due to the shutdown. She's now turned to other resources and help, including nonprofit organization Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN).

Chief Advancement Officer Kara Pappas says the organization launched an emergency grocery support program this week, including 1,600 food packages available for military families impacted by the shutdown. Pappas says, in just 24 hours, 6,000 verified military families have reached out for support

"During normal times, food insecurity runs at a rate of 24% for active duty families," Pappas said. "And that's not during a government shutdown, so this moment really puts families at a very fragile place."

The shutdown is worrying scientists, like NIH researcher Mark Histed too, who says he is one of the few employees still working without a paycheck. He says his bigger concern is disrupted funding to public health research.

"I'm worried about my ability to be able to do science, something that I've spent a long time working really hard to try to do," Histed said. "American science is being destroyed. Cancer research is being destroyed. Neuroscience research, brain research...all that is being destroyed."

With concerns over the impact of the shutdown only expected to grow, at least a couple of Republican lawmakers have during the shutdown.

And, at least two Democrats have discussed similar legislation to pay the military and other federal workers.

The shutdown's ripple effect is also spreading to seniors. The Social Security Administration announced a delay in its annual announcement by a week.

COLA determines the increase recipients will receive in their monthly checks based on inflation. Many experts expect a 2.7% increase.

Watch the latest coverage on the federal government shutdown:

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