On December 22, 2018, the United States entered the longest government shutdown in history, lasting a total of 35 days, after Democrats refused to support $5 billion funding for the border wall. During the shutdown, around 800,000 employees and nine executive departments shut down, leaving employees without pay for over a month. The shutdown cost the American economy roughly $11 billion, and even presented a threat of recession.

  Finally, on January 25, President Trump and the Senate agreed to pass a stopgap bill, a bill that allows the government to continue running, that allowed the government to reopen for three weeks so that negotiations between both parties may take place. However, if the decision is not made by February 15, Trump is threatening to declare a national emergency or shutdown the government again.

  One of the biggest concerns of this shutdown was the effect on workers, especially TSA (Transportation Security Administration) workers. A ‘blue flu’ occured, making a play on words after the TSA employees, who wear blue shirts, began calling off work after going into the third week of the government shutdown. This posed a major concern for security, as the amount of workers in airports declined. The workers, who stand on their feet for hours, were not being paid during this shutdown, making it extremely difficult for them, and other government employees, to make ends meet for them and their families. Many government employees struggled financially, and even began picking up part-time jobs such as tutoring and babysitting.

  The bill that Trump and the Republican party is trying to pass will supply $5.7 billion in funding for the border wall on the border of the U.S. and Mexico. Trump plans to limit or completely stop illegal immigration, human trafficking, smuggling, and drug transportation.