Dear Emgage Community,

As of midnight, October 1st, the U.S. government officially shut down. While shutdowns are not unprecedented, this one is unlike any other.

A bitter standoff in Congress over must-pass funding bills centered on Affordable Care Act subsidies and efforts to reverse Trump-era Medicaid cuts has left the government at a standstill.

But this time, the consequences could be far worse.

The Trump administration is threatening not just furloughs, but permanent mass layoffs of federal workers, something they have no legal authority to do. They are also using the shutdown as cover to expand executive power, sideline Congress, and dismantle core government functions.

- Mass federal layoffs: Permanent job losses replacing the usual furloughs.

- Workers without pay: Millions forced to work without salaries or sidelined entirely.

- National parks & museums: Widespread closures.

- Air travel: Major delays and disruptions from reduced staffing.

- Food safety: Inspections halted, raising health risks.

- Families & communities: Income loss and stalled services hurt the economy.

- Executive power grab: An illegal attempt to bypass Congress and control spending.

Some mandatory programs like Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare will continue, at least for now. But other safety nets could run dry quickly, leaving families without critical support. Immigration enforcement is expected to continue, while the administration may target agencies it has long sought to dismantle, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Education.

This isn’t just a shutdown, it’s a direct threat to our democracy, our economy, and the livelihoods of millions.

We will keep pushing congress to protect our healthcare, essential services, and democratic institutions. We can not afford silence.

Sincerely,

Iman Awad,
National Policy Director, Emgage