How the Democrat Shutdown Impacts Utah

<p>As you may know, Senate Democrats shut down the government after they refused to support a clean, nonpartisan CR to fund the government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is the same short-term measure Democrats supported 13 times under the Biden administration. And these are the same Democrats who once warned that shutdowns were “dangerous,” “disastrous,” and “self-inflicted harm” on hardworking families.</p>

<p>Here’s what that means for Utah:</p>

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<li><strong>Utah’s economy takes a direct hit.</strong> Each week the shutdown continues, our state loses an estimated <strong>$157 million in Gross State Product</strong>, roughly <strong>$680 million per month.</strong> Economists also project that a month-long shutdown could cost about <strong>500 Utah jobs.</strong></li>

<li><strong>Roughly 40,000 Utahns</strong>, about 2.4% of our state’s workforce, are federal employees who will either be furloughed or required to work without pay until funding is restored.</li>

<li><strong>Essential benefits continue, but some programs face delays.</strong> Social Security and Medicare payments will continue, though Utah seniors who receive paper checks (about 2,400 people) may see delays. Veterans’ health care and benefits remain funded and operational.</li>

<li><strong>Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)</strong> and <strong>SNAP food assistance</strong> programs face short-term strain. SNAP will continue for about 30 days before facing disruption; WIC relies on limited state reserves that could run out within a week if the shutdown continues. Together, these programs serve more than <strong>220,000 Utahns, including 69,000 children.</strong>
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<li>Thankfully, President Trump has been hard at work trying to find a <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/scoop-white-house-says-it-has-funding-to-save-food-aid-program/ar-AA1O2uha?ocid=BingNewsSerp">solution</a> to allocate resources immediately to help the low-income women and children who rely on this support as Democrats continue their political games and prolong this unnecessary government shutdown.</li>
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</li>

<li><strong>Small businesses and contractors are also impacted.</strong> The Small Business Administration has paused loan approvals, delaying an estimated <strong>$60 million</strong> in support to Utah small businesses each month of the shutdown. Federal contract spending is expected to fall by another <strong>$178 million</strong>, slowing job-creating projects across the state.</li>

<li>The loss of federal paychecks and contracts means consumer spending in Utah will drop by an estimated <strong>$383 million each month</strong> the shutdown lasts, hurting local economies and small businesses.</li>
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<p>Even during the shutdown, my offices remain open and ready to help.</p>

<p>If you or your family are affected by the shutdown, whether through delays with Social Security, veterans’ benefits, or small business loans, please reach out to Team Owens at <strong>801-999-9801</strong> or visit <a href="http://owens.house.gov/Shutdown">Owens.House.Gov/Shutdown</a>.</p>

<p>Thank you for the honor of serving you. Team Owens will keep working to deliver results for Utah’s Fourth District and get our government back on track.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://owens.house.gov/posts/how-the-democrat-shutdown-impacts-utah">How the Democrat Shutdown Impacts Utah</a> appeared first on <a href="https://owens.house.gov">Burgess Owens</a>.</p>