Shutdown Begins: What Comes Next—and Why This Is Only the Beginning

The Real Cost Isn’t Just Missed Paychecks Yes, roughly 750,000 federal workers are now furloughed, costing about $400 million per day in lost compensation, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Essential workers—like air traffic controllers, Border Patrol, and the military—will still be on the job, but without pay. Eventually, they’ll be reimbursed, but “eventually” doesn’t feed your family or pay your mortgage. But don’t miss the forest for the trees: This isn’t just a matter of unpaid employees. What you’re watching is a slow-motion collapse in the credibility and function of the U.S. government. When Congress can no longer pass basic appropriations, when each fiscal deadline turns into a political game of chicken, and when the executive branch begins floating…