U.S. government shutdown ends after 43 days

   Conflicting feelings from students appeared after eight Senate Democrats broke ranks on Monday, Nov. 10, leading to the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. 

  The final House vote passed on Wednesday evening, officially ending the shutdown. 

  The shutdown resulted in millions losing access to SNAP and mass flight disruptions across the country. 

  UMKC students have mixed feelings. Some students are happy their holiday travel plans are more secure.

  “I feel better because I’m able to plan my break flights to see my mom without worrying about flights getting cancelled,” said freshman theatre major Bee Shultz. “During the shutdown, my mom had purchased plane tickets to see me and was worried they would get cancelled.”

  Though the shutdown has ended, the lingering effects may still be felt for the next several weeks as federal agencies get back to work. 

  While airports will recover, it could take a few weeks before flight capacities are restored. This means that students may still be impacted over the holidays, as there may still be cancellations and delays ahead of fall break. 

  Thankfully, student loan disbursement will not be affected.

  As for the benefits of student veterans, Eric Gormly, UMKC’s Director for Student Veteran Support Services, said, “The shutdown does not have any impact on GI Bill benefits in a direct manner.” 

  SNAP benefits are also expected to resume as early as Friday. 

  While the immediate benefits of ending the shutdown are undoubtedly positive, some students have expressed their frustration with the Democrats responsible.

  Samuel Lamar, Junior history major and president of UMKC’s YDSA, was not surprised but was still critical of the Democrats who caved. 

  “The Democrats have been pretty consistent in their lack of backbone,” said Lamar.

  The shutdown started on Oct. 1 when Republicans and Democrats failed to reach an agreement on the budget for the next fiscal year. The Democrats had concerns over the expiring tax subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

  Millions U.S citizens who use the ACA could see their insurance premiums double without those tax subsidies at a time when families across the country are struggling to make ends meet. 

  Now the shutdown has come to an end, but the Democrats didn’t get the outcome that they wanted.

  “There was almost no compromise. Republicans got basically everything they wanted,” said Lamar. 

  “I’m glad that the federal workers who got unfairly punished are going to be back to being paid, but I do wish something more came of the shutdown,” said Shultz

  The vote that ended the shutdown was secured when eight Democratic senators broke ranks and made a deal with Republicans that will only address the ACA subsidies after the shutdown has ended and funding has been restored.

  The Democrats who voted to end the shutdown are: Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Sen. Jackie Rosen of Nevada, Sen. Angus King of Maine, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, Sen. Maggie Hassan and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia.

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