Imagine waking up every day not knowing if you’ll have a job, health insurance, or even enough food to feed your family. That’s the harsh reality for Stephanie Rogers, a federal worker whose life has been upended by the ongoing government shutdown. It’s not just about the paycheck—it’s about survival.
Months before the shutdown, Stephanie, a 44-year-old divorced mother of two, made a tough decision: she moved herself and her daughters into her mother’s home outside Denver. Skyrocketing living costs were one reason, but there was more to it. As a microbiologist with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for 16 years, Stephanie had seen this coming. The uncertainty of a new administration focused on shrinking the government, coupled with memories of the 2018 shutdown, left her with no choice. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this move a smart financial decision, or a sign of deeper systemic failures in how we treat essential workers?
Stephanie, who also serves as a chapter president for the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), knew the shutdown could last longer than expected. Unlike in 2018, when she was ‘utterly unprepared,’ she took proactive steps this time. She rushed to schedule medical appointments, refilled her daughters’ medications, and even dipped into her retirement savings—a decision that will have painful tax consequences next year. And this is the part most people miss: These sacrifices aren’t just financial; they’re emotional. Her daughters, aged 10 and 12, may have to skip extracurricular activities like field trips or volleyball games, and the family’s food budget has been slashed to the bare essentials. When their freezer recently broke, losing all the stored meat, it wasn’t just a setback—it was devastating.
Stephanie’s mother, Nina Chapman, has been a lifeline, offering her basement as a temporary home. ‘I was grateful we had the space,’ Nina says, but the situation is far from ideal. Stephanie has applied for state unemployment, a temporary fix for furloughed federal workers, though she’ll have to repay it once the shutdown ends. But here’s the kicker: President Trump has suggested some workers might not receive backpay, despite signing a law mandating it in 2019. He’s also threatened mass firings and permanent cuts to ‘Democrat programs,’ leaving Stephanie and thousands like her in limbo.
‘It feels terrible,’ Stephanie admits. ‘I don’t know if I’ll have a job when this is over, or if I’ll even get paid. Do I still have health insurance? It’s a terrifying place to be when you have children depending on you.’ She believes her work—inspecting food to keep the public safe—is essential, yet it’s often taken for granted until it’s gone. The stress has trickled down to her family, with her youngest daughter asking, ‘Does mommy have a job today?’ Even her dream job no longer feels secure, and she’s begun applying for positions outside the federal government.
This shutdown isn’t just a political standoff—it’s a human crisis. What does it say about our society when those who serve it are left to fend for themselves? Stephanie’s story is a stark reminder of the real-life consequences of policy decisions. But here’s the question: Are we doing enough to protect the people who keep our nation running? Let’s discuss—what do you think?
