Imagine waking up every day not knowing if you’ll have a job, health insurance, or even enough food for your family. That’s the harsh reality for Stephanie Rogers, a federal worker whose life has been upended by the ongoing government shutdown. It’s not just about the paycheck—it’s about survival. And this is the part most people miss: the emotional toll of uncertainty, the impossible choices families face, and the long-term scars left by political gridlock. But here’s where it gets controversial: while some argue the shutdown is a necessary political tool, others, like Rogers, see it as a direct attack on hardworking Americans. Let’s dive into her story—and the tough questions it raises.
Months before the shutdown, Stephanie Rogers, a 44-year-old divorced mother of two, made a preemptive move. She and her daughters relocated to her mother’s home outside Denver, a decision driven by skyrocketing living costs and the looming threat of another federal shutdown. Rogers, a microbiologist with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for 16 years, had seen this movie before—during the 2018 shutdown. This time, she wasn’t taking any chances. “Combining our household expenses was the only way to make ends meet long-term,” she explains. As a chapter president of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), Rogers is no stranger to the challenges federal workers face, but this shutdown feels different—more personal, more unpredictable.
Her mother, Nina Chapman, welcomed the family with open arms. “Having my granddaughters here is a blessing,” she says, though the basement-turned-living-space is a stark reminder of the sacrifices being made. But Rogers’ planning didn’t stop there. In the weeks leading up to the shutdown, she scrambled to schedule medical appointments, refill her daughters’ medications, and even dip into her retirement savings—a move that will cost her dearly in taxes next year. “It’s a painful choice, but what else could I do?” she asks.
Now, every dollar is scrutinized. Extracurricular activities? Only if they’re free. Groceries? Essentials only. And when their freezer broke, spoiling the meat they’d carefully stockpiled, it was a crushing blow. “That was our safety net,” Rogers says. She’s applied for state unemployment, a temporary lifeline for furloughed workers, but it’s not a long-term solution—and it comes with strings attached. When the shutdown ends, she’ll have to repay it, assuming she gets backpay at all.
And this is where it gets even more contentious. President Trump has suggested some workers might not receive backpay, despite signing a law mandating it in 2019. He’s also threatened mass firings and vague cuts to “Democrat programs,” leaving federal employees like Rogers in limbo. “I don’t know if I’ll have a job when this is over,” she admits. “How do I explain that to my daughters, who ask if Mommy still has work today?”
Rogers takes pride in her work at the FDA, inspecting food to keep the public safe—a job she believes is essential but often taken for granted. Yet, across the federal government, morale is at an all-time low. Mass layoffs and funding cuts have left workers stretched thin, only to be told they’re expendable. “It’s demoralizing,” she says. Even her dream job now feels like quicksand, pushing her to apply for positions outside the government.
So, here’s the question: Is this shutdown a necessary evil, or a reckless gamble with real lives at stake? Do federal workers deserve more than just uncertainty and empty promises? Share your thoughts below—let’s keep the conversation going.
