A government employee at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said on Monday that she was stressed by a salary shutdown and more frustrated by the two parties taking the livelihoods of federal employees as a tool for political negotiations.
Anis Shevez Sheno, an employee of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development:Like other federal employees, I haven't received a salary for almost a month. Most of us scrape by on our wages, and like other Americans, we feel the pressure of being without pay when the holidays are approaching. The situation we are in now also makes us feel like we are being used as pawns.
Affected by the continuous "shutdown" of the federal government, the American food stamp program will be suspended on November 1st. Single mother Naji Kinard makes a living by doing odd jobs. She said that the suspension of food relief will have a great impact on her family.
Single Mother Nagie Kinard:Once I lose this benefit, my daughter and I have trouble getting healthy foods, and I have to struggle with food, health insurance, and even housing.
Meanwhile, U.S. inflation remains high and puts families like Keynard under greater cost of living pressure.
Single Mother Nagie Kinard:The high cost of living has undoubtedly put a lot of pressure on my financial situation, and sometimes I can only barely cope with it. I know that during this time, other families, other people are feeling the same pressure as me.