When the federal government shut down earlier this month, hundreds of thousands of federal employees and military families across the nation were left in limbo, unsure when their next paycheck would arrive. For freshman Molly Pitman, that uncertainty is no longer a headline on the news. It’s happening inside her own home.
Pitman’s stepfather is an active-duty member of the U.S. Coast Guard, and her mother, a Coast Guard veteran of eight years, is now out of service but still feeling the rippling effects of the shutdown. The family is currently relying on back pay to make their ends meet, and each day brings new financial anxiety.
“It just creates more stress, like, how are we going to pay the mortgage? How are we going to pay the phone bill? How will we buy groceries?” Pittman said.
The shutdown has also affected the small things that used to bring her family together.
“I like shopping. A lot. And my mom takes me shopping, and we haven’t been able to do that as much as we’d usually do,” Pittman said. “That was one of our bonding experiences, and we’ve had to kind of cut back.”
For many families connected to the Coast Guard as well as other branches of the military, the shutdown is especially difficult. Unlike other military branches funded through the Department of Defense – now aptly renamed The Department of War – the Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security – which means pay stops during shutdowns. That leaves service members continuing to work without knowing when they’ll be compensated.
Pitman says what frustrates her most isn’t just the money, but the inequality she sees in who feels the pain of the shutdown.
“The people in charge of finding solutions are still getting paid,” she said. “So they’re in no rush to actually help the families that actually need help.”
Despite the frustration and financial pressure, Pitman remains resilient – and hopes her classmates can show a little more compassion during times like this.
“Some people don’t understand what others are going through,” she said. “They fail to realize that some kids are going through certain things as you’re putting more on top of them. So, be nice.”
As lawmakers continue to debate in Washington, students like Pitman are left waiting and hoping that the government – and empathy – reopen soon.
