Government Shutdown Forces U.S. Military Personnel to Line Up for Free Meals + Video
The English section of webangah News Agency cites Military.com via mehr News Agency, reporting that as the U.S. government shutdown continues,many federal workers and military personnel face financial hardship. Several free food distribution centers across the country have seen a 30 percent rise in demand.
The shutdown began on October 1 due to political disagreements between Republicans and Democrats in Congress and is now in its twelfth day. Democrats are demanding guarantees regarding healthcare subsidies, while Republican lawmakers and the White House accuse their opponents of inciting illegal immigration.
Failed negotiations have led to threats from former President Donald Trump and Republican leaders that back pay might not be delivered to about 75,000 federal employees affected by this shutdown. The closure has also disrupted daily life aspects such as air travel, national parks access, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program.
Military personnel and their families have likewise become victims of political gridlock. The Armed Forces YMCA-established in 1861 during the U.S. Civil War to aid wounded soldiers-has encouraged service members to utilize food assistance programs and other support services available to help ease immediate financial pressures caused by paycheck delays.
According to a senior official at the organization, demand for services has increased since last week’s usual operations began experiencing faster depletion of food supplies than normal. Thay noted that the Kyle centre in Texas saw roughly a 34 percent rise-making it one of the first food distribution points impacted after the government closure.
Last week Reuters reported based on draft documents it reviewed that Donald trump’s governance is considering withholding back pay from furloughed federal employees due to this ongoing shutdown.
The report states Trump has already implemented his threat to cut federal workforce numbers during this period; more than 4,000 federal workers have been laid off so far.
Federal officials say layoffs have started within departments including Treasury; Health; Internal Revenue Service; Education’s Deputy Offices; Commerce; as well as Cybersecurity units under Homeland Security Department-but exact figures remain unclear. Earlier projections expected around 300,000 civilian federal employees would lose jobs this year amid trump’s downsizing campaign launched earlier in the year.
