US govt shutdown: White House details effects on Americans; military families seeking food aid

As the US government shutdown entered its third day without any resolution after Democrats and Republicans failed to advance competing plans to extend federal funding, several military families have begun to seek food assistance due to the "financial anxiety."

Briefing the reporters, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that 1.3 million men and women of America's Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force are not being paid because of the "Democrat shutdown."

"We are now in day 3 of the Democrat-led govt shutdown. There are significant personal impacts on millions of Americans as a result of this current govt shutdown. The 1.3 million men and women of America's Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force are not being paid. Military families are already seeking out food assistance because of financial anxiety caused by this Democrat shutdown," Karoline Leavitt said.

She further added that more military families require assistance with food and that there has been a 34 per cent surge in families seeking help through the food pantry.

"Staff members at the Armed Services YMCA food pantry distribution location near Fort Hood in Texas found a line of military families stretched around the side of the building at 5.00 am yesterday. According to the staff who work there, that has 'never happened'. They've already had a 34 per cent increase this week," Leavitt added.

The White House press secretary said that nearly seven million mothers, infants, and low-income families who rely on the govt-run food assistance programme will be in jeopardy if the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programme runs out of funds.

Leavitt informed that 13,000 air traffic controllers are working without pay in the country, whereas the National Flood Insurance Programme is in danger of lapsing.

"Nearly seven million mothers, infants, and low-income families who rely on govt-run food assistance will be in jeopardy if the WIC programme runs out of money in the weeks ahead. More than 13,000 air traffic controllers in airports across the country are currently working without pay. The National Flood Insurance Programme is in danger of lapsing, which could leave families without the necessary help if a disaster strikes," She added.

She stressed that the critical services offered at Social Security field offices are reduced for senior citizens and disabled American citizens. Leavitt noted that helpful transition assistance programmes are not being provided for veterans who are trying to re-enter civilian life.

"And we are in the middle of hurricane season. Critical services offered at Social Security field offices are reduced for senior citizens and disabled Americans. Helpful transition assistance programmes are not being provided for veterans who are now trying to re-enter civilian life. The economic consequences of this shutdown are piling up every day. Policy makers, markets, and even the Federal Reserve are flying blind at a key juncture because BLS and BEA data are on hold until the govt reopens," Leavitt said.

Saying that the US could have a USD 15 billion gross domestic product each week, Karoline Leavitt mentioned that the federal govt shutdown has extended for a month, leading to an additional 43,000 unemployed people.

"The US economy could lose $15 billion of gross domestic product each week. The Democrat shutdown extends with a month-long shutdown, leading to an additional 43,000 unemployed people. Small businesses are likely to encounter delays in receiving federal loans. Mortgage applications will shrink," she added.

As the Senators failed to come to any conclusion, the White House is expected to extend until at least next week. the Senate has postponed further votes until Monday and the House has cancelled all votes for the upcoming week. The House is scheduled to reconvene on October 14, NBC News reported.