Government Shutdown Hurts Families and Communities
•Today’s government shutdown exposes a significant crack in our political system. The buildup to the October 1st shutdown illustrates how partisan fighting is overshadowing and obstructing critical issues from being addressed by Congress, particularly helping the 5.8 million young adults in the U.S. who are not in school and not working. They need guidance and support to find their foothold on meaningful educational and career pathways that will benefit not only them, but the nation. It is frustrating and counterproductive to see so much energy and attention going to brinkmanship and bickering instead of to initiatives that can strengthen our economy, society and families.
In addition to diverting the focus of Congress from providing solutions to the major problems facing our country, the government shutdown could unfairly burden already strained state and local budgets. This would further hurt our disconnected youth and slow the progress of communities trying to expand economic mobility for their citizens and improve their Opportunity Scores. Going forward, Congress should focus its attention on creating education and career opportunities instead of fighting.
Opportunity Nation strongly believes that only bipartisan cooperation will produce the results we all strive for and deserve as U.S. citizens. We hope this shutdown is short-lived and that our elected officials can once again turn their attention to issues that will expand opportunity and enable more Americans to achieve economic mobility and security.
Melanie Anderson
Melanie Anderson is the Director of Government and External Affairs at Opportunity Nation. She directs the campaign’s government relations and policy efforts. Read Melanie's bio.
