From First Focus on Children 9/29/2025
Federal programs support millions of children with educational opportunities, health care, nutrition, child care, economic security, and other life staples.
When the federal government shuts down, it threatens the stability of these programs, which can delay benefits, close offices, and put children at risk of going without essential supports. The uncertainty caused by shutdowns not only can disrupt daily life for families, but also undermine the long-term progress these programs are designed to achieve. Children whose parents work in the federal government are forced to survive without those paychecks until Congress and the White House can agree on a solution.
Read more: https://firstfocus.org/resource/issue-brief-how-a-government-shutdown-hurts-kids/