The U.S. government has officially shut down and what it means

At midnight on October 1st, the government of the United States shut down. The bitter stalemate between Republicans and Democrats in recent weeks — largely centered around billions of dollars in enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies — is the first government funding lapse of President Donald Trump’s second administration.

During the shutdown, the federal government curtails agency activities and services and ceases non-essential operations. It also furloughs non-essential workers, and retains only essential employees in departments that protect human life or property.

Dana Marie Kennedy, State Director of AARP Arizona joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss more on the shut down and the effects it will have on the nation as a whole.