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The government shut down at midnight on Oct. 1 for the first time in six years after Congress reached an impasse on federal funding.
The main holdup? Republicans don’t want to extend health insurance subsidies that helped millions of low-income earners under the Affordable Care Act. The subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year.
Colin Booth broke down how the shutdown would ripple across New Hampshire—from delayed paychecks for federal workers to strains on small businesses and families.
This week we asked readers to share thoughts on the shutdown. Here’s what they said…
“I’m infuriated. It’s like Groundhog Day. And it’s feckless and motivated by greed. The republicans could work with the democrats, as the previous administration did, but they prefer spectacle and posturing over actual work. I wish Congress would do their job and act as the third arm of the government on behalf of its citizens. Construction on Trump’s needless ballroom is continuing, as is the $20 billion loan to Argentina to prop up Scott Bessent’s buddy. But they can’t support important programs that help ordinary Americans. It’s infuriating.” — Rebecca Audet
“It’s an unfortunate necessity. No one wins in this situation, but it is time that our congressional representatives actually stood up and represented us.” — Fran Harriman
“The shutdown is painful and will have far-reaching consequences. One of them will be further decimation of the federal workforce. However, there comes a time when it is necessary to bite the bullet and resist the immortal and illegal actions of the mentally ill person we have put in place as our leader. In the future, our society will be judged by how well we cared for the unfortunate and less powerful citizens in our population. To paraphrase a well-known quote — ‘They came for the elderly and I did nothing because I was young. They came for the sick and I did nothing because I was healthy. Then they came for me.’” — JoAnn Carlson
“It’s more of the usual, the GOP is trying to screw all but the wealthy, and the liberals are trying to look out for the more unfortunate low-income groups. That’s right, I’m an independent! They need to come together, and they both suck!” — Michael Blackledge
“I think Trump is doing a good job. Trying to keep everyone safe. And keep the constitution intact.” — Linda Tabone
“I am so frustrated by this government shutdown and the astonishing abdication of responsibility by the Republican Party. I mistakenly believed congress would continue to do its job—at least to some degree. I was wrong. Their actions will have lasting repercussions. Legacies are being squandered, and their grandchildren will one day look back with embarrassment and shame at how they responded in these difficult times.”— Mary Ann Acone
