How the Government Shutdown Is Hitting Amarillo

It's been one of, if not THE biggest, stories in the U.S. the last week or so, but many don't understand just how much it's affecting Amarillo and Texas as a whole. If we don't have anything government-related that we rely on, then we don't think too much of it.

However, there are many who DO rely on some governmental assistance, and in the event of a government shutdown, those programs become directly affected, and those who rely on them begin to suffer.

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What Is A Government Shutdown

Well, it can be explained in many different ways, and in today's world, where we are so divided along party lines, it gets described very differently. Now, I'll be the first to tell you, while I pay attention to politics, I'm not invested in it like many.

So how do I describe it? I say it's a bunch of grown adults who can't agree on whose turn it is to take the trash out or do the dishes. At least that's the way it comes across to me. I know it's deeper than that, but that's just how I see it. In its truest terms, a government shutdown happens when Congress is unable to pass certain appropriation bills.

How Does The Shutdown Affect Amarillo and Texas

Well, if you're a traveler, you may have already felt some of these effects. A government shutdown affects airports, and many have already experienced delays in their flights. The IRS and Social Security Administration also end up affected, as the IRS has said half their employees have been furloughed due to the shutdown.

In Amarillo specifically, a government shutdown will affect the WIC program. The City of Amarillo released a statement mentioning that Texas WIC does have reserve funds to get through at least October, so everything is good to go for at least this month. However, that could change when the calendar flips to November if they haven't worked out everything. Officials have encouraged people to keep appointments and continue using their benefits.