US: Government shutdown hits daily life in Washington D.C.

Business Nov 08, 2025

Washington D.C. has been stuck in a government shutdown since October 1, 2025, and it's taking a toll on daily life.
With layoffs and cuts to federal food aid, the Capital Area Food Bank is stepping up—serving eight million more meals than planned to help out as unemployment climbs to six percent.

Layoffs and missed paychecks

About one in five local workers are federal employees, so missed paychecks are making things tough—not just for them but for neighborhood businesses too.
Places like The Queen Vic pub have seen sales drop by half.
Some families, like Thea Price's, have even decided to leave DC after losing jobs and support, showing how deeply the shutdown is shaking up the community.