DENVER – Does it matter if the federal government shuts down? Will it affect people’s day-to-day lives? For thousands of Colorado’s children, the answer is a clear and troubling yes.
Shutting down the federal government for an extended period could lead to gaps in early childhood services, less support for food and housing for children, or, if the shut-down lasts for a significant time, delays in funding for public schools and other programs. The longer a shutdown continues, the more likely it is that funding, programs, and services will be disrupted.
“When leaders in Washington are deciding how to move forward, these are the people – and the real-world impacts – they should be considering,” said Heather Tritten, President and CEO of the Colorado Children’s Campaign. “Will kids lose their housing or their food? Will the school or early childhood center they go to each day shut down or lose staff and resources? In the United States, children should not go without because of politics.”
Colorado’s budget is already tight, and our state is not able to fill in the gaps when federal funding is cut or delayed, as it would be during an extended shut-down. The state has taken quick action to approve funding for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program for the current month – an important step to make sure families can put food on the table. But Colorado is already reducing health benefits and other services to address the budget cuts Congress approved earlier this year.
Federal shut-downs also interrupt the administration and functioning of key services and programs that support kids. If there were additional permanent cuts to the federal workforce during a shutdown, government agencies could have even more difficulty performing their essential functions.
Congress should make sure families continue to have reliable access to health care while also keeping the federal government running.
