Government Shutdown Costing $1.2B as Taxpayers Pay for Non-Work
URGENT UPDATE: The ongoing government shutdown is hitting taxpayers hard, with costs ballooning to an estimated $1.2 billion as 750,000 federal employees are being paid to stay home. This staggering financial burden accumulates at a rate of $400 million per day, according to the latest data from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich did not hold back during a recent appearance on ‘Jesse Watters Primetime,’ blasting the Democratic Party for instigating this crisis. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) echoed these sentiments, stating, “Schumer’s Shutdown Shenanigans mean taxpayers will be on the hook for another $400 million today to pay non-essential bureaucrats NOT to work.” She emphasized the need to reopen the government, arguing that Democrats are engaged in a political stunt over taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants.
The government went into shutdown mode early Wednesday morning after Senate lawmakers failed to reach a budget agreement. Earlier in September, House lawmakers had approved a short-term extension for fiscal year 2025 funding, which aimed to keep essential services running until November 21, 2025. However, the Trump administration, alongside Republican leaders, has shifted the blame to Democrats, alleging that they are prioritizing healthcare for illegal immigrants over the livelihoods of hardworking Americans.
The CBO’s findings indicate that the cost of compensating furloughed employees is projected at about $400 million daily. This data, compiled in response to a request from Ernst, highlights that the number of furloughed federal employees could vary daily, as differing agencies may furlough more staff or recall some as the shutdown continues.
In a letter to Ernst, the CBO confirmed, “Under a lapse in discretionary funding for fiscal year 2026, about 750,000 employees could be furloughed each day.” The letter also mentioned that the statistics were based on a prior five-week partial shutdown during the Trump administration from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019.
With the shutdown now well underway, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has indicated that federal layoffs could potentially number in the thousands. “It’s likely going to be in the thousands,” Leavitt stated during a press briefing, underscoring the serious implications for federal workers across various agencies.
As the situation develops, the administration is preparing to meet with officials to strategize the next steps, including potential cuts to programs and departments. The White House has also faced criticism for its handling of the situation, with spokesman Kush Desai calling out Democrats as “not serious people” for allegedly prioritizing healthcare for illegal immigrants over the ongoing shutdown’s impact on American families.
With the clock ticking, the urgency to resolve this impasse is palpable, as thousands of federal employees face uncertain futures while taxpayers continue footing the bill. The nation watches closely, eager for resolution as the financial strain intensifies.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing situation as officials work to navigate the complexities of the shutdown and restore normal operations.
