The United States government shutdown continues because Congress failed to reach an agreement on funding starting on October 1st.
Over 750,000 federal employees have been placed on unpaid leave. Not only are federal employees being affected by this, but so are federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Education, and the Department of Commerce.  These agencies have the highest number of employees on unpaid leave.

WJPS AP government teacher Mr. Mengani has stated, “I am both saddened and disappointed by the government shutdown. I believe (and teach my students) that politics is the art of compromise. Neither side ever gets everything they want, and each must be willing to sit down to trade and negotiate. Inability to compromise is a fatal flaw in a political leader, and such a person should not be reelected.”

WJPS 11th grade student, Collin Saide stated, “Congress needs to work together; I’ve personally seen government websites blaming the other side for causing the shutdown. The shutdown affects federal employees and military personnel by affecting their salaries from the lapse in federal funding, who need to provide for themselves and their families.”

“White House” by Diego Cambiaso is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.