ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Johnny Zuagar, who works as a statistician for the U.S. Census Bureau, is navigating the holiday season with a heavy heart. He tries to suppress his concerns about a possible government shutdown from his three children, aged 14, 12, and 6. “I have to keep a calm exterior,” he explained, emphasizing his desire to shield his family from his worries.
Like many other federal employees, Zuagar finds that the festive season is marred by anxiety and uncertainty. Ongoing negotiations in Congress over federal funding have created an ominous atmosphere for numerous federal workers who may face furloughs right before Christmas. Just hours before a looming government shutdown, the House passed a temporary spending bill, yet its reception in the Senate remained uncertain.
Concerns have been amplified by the incoming Trump administration’s indications of potential job cuts within the federal workforce. Zuagar, as the president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2782—which represents census workers—has faced such dire situations before. This looming crisis occurs amidst promises of significant workforce reductions, increasing the worry among employees.
“We don’t truly know what to expect anymore,” Zuagar remarked during a phone call, decently close to the midnight deadline for a funding agreement. “It feels like federal employees are scapegoated for various issues in the country.” The comments reflect a general sentiment among many workers; they are apprehensive not only about the duration of a possible shutdown but also about the long-term implications following Trump’s inauguration.
“They are anxious about what lies ahead for them, feeling as though they might be overlooked,” Zuagar noted. Alongside him, Jesus Soriano, president of AFGE Local 3403—which represents staff at the National Science Foundation and other agencies—also echoed that the current budget impasse feels particularly daunting compared to previous years.
Soriano stated that it is critical for the public to recognize that significant decisions regarding government services are currently being made, affecting areas such as national security and Social Security. He suggested that the ongoing anxieties surrounding potential furloughs are merely hints of more troubling times to come.
“Federal employees are increasingly worried about job security as a result of the current public dialogue,” Soriano reported, emphasizing the fears shared among his colleagues. Mac Johnson, a retired executive from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) who now serves as the executive vice president for the TSA Council union, shared that TSA employees felt particularly restless as the deadline approached.
Johnson explained that during the last significant shutdown in 2018, approximately half of the TSA staff continued to work without pay, a situation that many simply cannot endure. “This is a harsh situation,” Johnson remarked from Charlotte, North Carolina. “You do work without pay, and that puts a strain on employees who are living paycheck to paycheck.”
Zuagar has conveyed his confusion over this budget cycle, noting that the discussions seem disorganized. “There’s a lack of cohesion in the discussions,” he described, adding that numerous factions seem to be involved in the negotiations.
The emotional and financial toll of government shutdowns not only demoralizes workers but also incurs long-term repercussions. Soriano pointed out that recovering from a shutdown takes considerable effort, as many employees find their savings depleted, deferring spending on what were once essential items. For government agencies, rebuilding post-shutdown can be a lengthy process, significantly delaying the return to pre-shutdown operations.
Despite these overwhelming challenges and anxieties, Zuagar has chosen to refrain from pointing fingers during these turbulent negotiations. He remains hopeful that the negative rhetoric will ultimately give way to support for federal employees and the critical services they provide.
However, he also expressed his disappointment at the timing of this crisis, just prior to the holiday season. With his last paycheck set to arrive before the weekend, he finds himself grappling with difficult choices regarding family gifts and upcoming bills. “I have to consider: Should I spend this on Christmas gifts or save some for January expenses?” Zuagar explained, highlighting the real-life struggles faced by federal employees during this time.
In closing, he emphasized that lawmakers should keep in mind the human element impacted by these negotiations. “There are actual people involved in this situation, and our hope is that they recognize that reality,” Zuagar stated.
