The Real Cause of the Government Shutdown

The government may be shut down. But when it comes to political theatrics, the show goes on. 

The government shutdown is basically America’s version of parents fighting while the kids hide upstairs, wondering when dinner will be ready. Mom and Dad (that’s Congress) are too busy screaming at each other over who “started it” to actually parent. Meanwhile, the kids (that’s us) are left scrounging the pantry, surviving on crushed-up Triscuits from the bottom of the box. 

That’s pretty much where we are now: families waiting on delayed food assistance (SNAP) benefits, hundreds of thousands of federal workers missing paychecks, and travelers watching airport lines snake longer as staffing thins. None of these problems will be resolved until Congress reaches a consensus on how to spend the latest budget proposal.

At the heart of the shutdown is a fight over how much to spend on federal programs like Medicaid and SNAP, and whether to tighten rules on who gets help or extend subsidies that keep healthcare and food assistance affordable.

Where the Breakdown Happens

Both political parties say they want to help underprivileged Americans. They just differ on how to do it.

On one side, many Republicans say the biggest problem with programs like Medicaid and SNAP isn’t the idea behind them. It’s how the money is managed. 

Their 2025 budget plan called for “enhancing Medicaid program integrity.” It pointed out that the federal government has made about $2.7 trillion in improper payments since 2003, which they say shows how much money is slipping through the cracks.

Some lawmakers have also pushed for stronger rules to make sure benefits only go to eligible households. As Rep. Ralph Norman put it, these reforms are about “protecting Medicaid for the truly vulnerable.” Republican leaders argue that adding work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents would keep the programs focused on short-term help—what they call preventing “cradle-to-grave dependence.”

​​On the other side, Democrats are focused on protecting coverage and making sure people don’t lose access to food or healthcare because of politics or paperwork. Their main goal right now is to extend federal subsidies that help lower- and middle-income Americans afford health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Those subsidies, first expanded during the pandemic, are set to expire soon unless Congress renews them.

Democrats argue that letting those subsidies lapse would cause millions of Americans’ premiums to spike, pushing families to drop their coverage altogether. “We shouldn’t punish people for working hard and still struggling to afford care,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, chair of the Senate Finance Committee. “These subsidies have been a lifeline for working families.”

They’ve also pushed back against deeper cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, saying they’d leave veterans, seniors, and working parents without essentials.

Political Theater

In addition to the policy divides, there’s a whole lot of political theater at play. For many in Congress, a shutdown isn’t just a policy fight—it’s a performance. Lawmakers on both sides often use it as a chance to rally their base and build their personal brands, turning the drama into campaign fuel.

Holding out during a shutdown can signal to supporters, “I didn’t back down.” It’s a way to prove loyalty to party values and score points with primary voters who prize ideological purity.

When the cameras are rolling, grandstanding can look like strength. A hardline speech on the House floor or a viral post about “standing firm” can energize small-dollar donations and shore up political capital. But the tradeoff is costly: every day the standoff drags on, food assistance is delayed, paychecks stop, and agencies go dark.

The result is a cycle of symbolic wins and real-world losses. Neither side wants to appear weak, so both dig in deeper. Budgets expire, deadlines pass, and the machinery of government sputters to a halt. Not because compromise is impossible, but because disagreement is politically advantageous. 

The People Affected

As Washington remains stuck in gridlock, many Americans stare down empty fridges and an increased fear of losing health coverage.

Take Brandy Monovic, a single mom in Colorado who relies on SNAP benefits. “I’ve cut down eating three meals a day to eating one meal a day,” she says. “I don’t have as much energy. I’m tired. I’m hungry a lot. I drink water to try to help with the hunger pain.”

Or think of Erin Jackson-Hill, a 56-year-old woman from Anchorage, Alaska, who has allergies, asthma, and severe hip pain. She currently pays nearly $500 a month for premiums. If subsidies disappear, she plans to forgo insurance and pay for her asthma and allergy medications out of pocket, a decision that leaves her with few options if her hip condition worsens. “I’ll have to go bankrupt in order to pay for it,” she says.

These aren’t abstract victims. They’re individuals whose meals, bills, care access, and dignity are on the line. When the government shuts down, so does the help many count on. 

An Invitation to Build

We need to hold politicians accountable to the needs of the people. While the headlines rattle on, we can find solutions for our communities across divides.

Support local businesses or nonprofits that fill in gaps. Nonprofits like Feeding America, GiveDirectly, Propel and local food banks provide direct food assistance, emergency food boxes, and cash transfers. They won’t replace large federal programs, but they cushion the fall when the federal machine hiccups. 

Encourage cross-ideology conversations: you might be surprised how much you share when you step away from the shouting. More discussions across divides usually reveal shared values and lead to more problem-solving for what could benefit your communities.  

At the civic level, show up where you are. A local church can start a weekend meal drive for families waiting on SNAP benefits. City councils can partner with nonprofits to keep clinics open for uninsured residents. Small businesses can donate supplies or sponsor temporary relief funds for furloughed workers.

Because the shutdown reveals something: the machine breaks, but people don’t have to. While Congress is stalled, real progress is possible. 

—Alex Buscemi (abuscemi@buildersmovement.org)

Editor’s note: This article has been updated from a previous version to more accurately characterize each party’s policy positions.