As the 2025 U.S. government shutdown continues without resolution, federal employees like microbiologist Stephanie Rogers are dipping into savings and cutting essentials to make ends meet. The standoff also hinges on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits, set to expire in December, which could double premiums for 24 million enrollees if not addressed soon. Democrats push for immediate action before November enrollment, while Republicans argue there is time until year-end.
Stephanie Rogers, a 44-year-old divorced microbiologist with the Food and Drug Administration for 16 years, has been furloughed along with hundreds of thousands of federal workers during the ongoing 2025 shutdown. Living with her mother, Nina Chapman, and two daughters, ages 10 and 12, outside Denver, Colorado, Rogers moved in months ago due to rising costs and government uncertainty under the new administration. She recalled the 35-day shutdown from late 2018 into 2019, when she was unprepared, prompting her to plan ahead this time by scheduling medical appointments and requesting early medication refills.
To cope, Rogers withdrew from her retirement savings, facing tax consequences, and applied for state unemployment benefits, which furloughed workers must repay upon retroactive pay. She sought car payment flexibility and limited spending to essentials, including skipping extracurriculars like field trips and volleyball. A recent freezer failure cost them stored meat, adding to the strain. 'It feels terrible,' Rogers said. 'I don't know if I even have a job when I walk away from this, much less if I will get paid.'
President Trump has suggested denying backpay despite a 2019 law mandating it, threatened mass firings starting Friday, and proposed cutting 'Democrat programs.' Rogers, a National Treasury Employees Union chapter president, questions her job security and health insurance. Her daughter has asked, 'Does mommy have a job today?' prompting Rogers to apply for non-federal positions.
The shutdown's core dispute involves extending enhanced ACA tax credits, vital for affordable premiums on marketplaces used by 24 million people, mostly in small businesses, farming, or gig work. Over three-quarters of enrollees live in states Trump won in 2024, with enrollment tripling in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and West Virginia over five years. A KFF poll shows 78% public support for extension, including majorities across parties. Without action by November 1 open enrollment, premiums could rise 114% on average for 2026, potentially leaving 4 million uninsured, per the Congressional Budget Office. Extension would cost $350 billion over a decade. North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread, a Republican, urged immediate extension, noting unanimous state regulator support. Democrats condition government reopening on it; Republicans say December expiration allows time. Some conservatives oppose the subsidies as temporary COVID measures, while others like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Sen. Josh Hawley back preventing rate hikes.