Indian Thought Latest News & Views
Washington: The situation in the US, considered the world’s most powerful and wealthy country, is currently dire. The government shutdown that has been ongoing for the past 24 days has become an unprecedented crisis for the US. Due to a lack of funds in the government treasury, millions of people have become unemployed, long queues ( Long queue) are forming outside food banks for food, and even the education of young children has been disrupted. This is the second longest shutdown in US history, which has severely affected the lives of ordinary people.
Long queues in front of food banks
In many US cities, such as Maryland, California, Arizona, and Texas, thousands of people are seen standing in line for hours outside food banks for free food. The shutdown has stopped the salaries of government employees, leaving them without money and without jobs. Food banks are collecting food through donations and distributing it to government employees, the poor, and the destitute. However, demand is so high that even food banks are running out of food.
Long queues have been seen at food banks across the US.
US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said on this crisis, “Millions of poor families are in trouble due to the shutdown. They are going hungry. Due to the shutdown, people are unable to avail of food stamps and other government-provided free food programs.”
Food Stamp Scheme Also Halted
The US government provides food to 40 million people through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. But now, due to lack of funds in the government treasury, this scheme has also come to a halt.
The Food Stamp Scheme, which provided food to 40 million people, has also come to a halt.
Food Stamp Service Director Gina Plata-Nino said, “Food banks are trying to help people, but they can’t replace us. They don’t have the resources. Consider this: when food banks feed one person, SNAP feeds nine. Food has also become more expensive this year compared to last year. We’re not receiving funds, so despite the help of food banks and food pantries, we’re unable to meet our needs.”
Children’s Education Is Seriously Crisped
The shutdown is affecting not only food but also children’s education. The Headstart program, which provides education and nutrition to poor and vulnerable children in the United States, has been affected by the loss of government funding. This has left the future of 65,000 poor children and their teachers in limbo. Many public schools have closed, and teachers are forced to work without pay.
Casey Lawson, director of the HeadStart program, said, “Due to the federal government shutdown, we are forced to temporarily suspend the government HeadStart program for children’s education. Our organization provides kindergarten education to children in several cities across Missouri. We support 17 schools, with over 400 teachers and over 2,300 children. However, we are currently forced to close.”
Millions of employees laid off, flights affected
Millions of government employees are being laid off due to the shutdown. The National Nuclear Security Administration has laid off 1,400 employees who worked at the nation’s nuclear facilities. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said, “Unfortunately, our ability to spend money has been exhausted today. Our funding for federal government employees has been exhausted. Today, we are retrenching 68 employees. We are forced to lay off 1,400 employees nationwide.” These people were working in our country’s nuclear facilities.
The US doesn’t even have the money to pay government employees.
Furthermore, approximately 6,000 flights are being delayed daily due to airport employees not receiving their salaries. Many employees are looking for other jobs, impacting air services.
Donations will pay salaries to the US military!
The shutdown is also affecting the US military. Salaries of soldiers in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Strategic Forces have been blocked. The Trump administration is trying to use emergency funds to pay soldiers’ salaries, but without parliamentary approval, this is limited. Arranging salaries for soldiers deployed abroad is particularly difficult. Germany has offered to pay 58 million euros (approximately Rs. 600 crores) per month to 12,000 US soldiers and officers stationed in Germany.
US President Donald Trump is talking about paying soldiers’ salaries through donations.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump revealed that a secret donor has sent a check for $130 million for soldiers’ salaries. Trump said, “I know the soldiers’ problems. A friend of mine, a secret donor, called me. I won’t reveal his name; he has refused. My Chief of Staff, Suzie Wiles, will definitely tell me.” He said that he wants to personally help cover the shortfall in soldiers’ salaries due to the shutdown imposed by the Democratic Party. He sent a check for $130 million.
