In Martinsburg, West Virginia, a town with strong ties to President Trump’s support base, the impacts of the US government shutdown are deeply felt. Jonathan Giba, a veteran residing in temporary housing at a local VA hospital, is facing extended delays for essential medical and dental care due to the shutdown. He describes the situation as “political bs,” highlighting how non-essential VA programs have been suspended, affecting veterans’ job placement and transition assistance.
Martinsburg, with nearly 20,000 residents, is significantly reliant on federal employment. Approximately 3,300 people work for federal agencies in the area, including the VA hospital, an IRS processing facility, and an agricultural assistance office. Additionally, around a thousand residents commute daily to Washington D.C. via the town’s Amtrak station.
Despite a prevailing spirit of self-reliance in this “Trump country,” where 67% voted for the president in the last election, the political gridlock in the capital weighs heavily on the community. While some local events, like the Freedom’s Run Race Series, adapted by rerouting away from a federal park, and the nearby Harper’s Ferry national park was kept open with state funding, the broader economic implications are a growing concern.
Veterans like Troy Williams and Marcellus Brothers express frustration and anxiety. “This isn’t a Democrat or Republican issue,” Williams states, lamenting the lack of progress. Brothers adds, “We’re in limbo, it’s scary.”
The shutdown, which began on October 1st, has placed over 700,000 federal workers on unpaid leave, with an estimated 200,000 essential workers continuing to work without pay. The White House has begun laying off thousands of federal employees.
Kelly Allen from the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy warns that the shutdown could exacerbate existing job losses in the state, which has a high concentration of federal employees. “We have more federal government employees than coal miners in West Virginia,” she notes, emphasizing the importance of these well-paying jobs. Tina Hissam, a local small business employee, echoes these concerns, pointing out the negative impact on local businesses when federal workers’ spending is disrupted.
The closure of a USDA service center in the area, responsible for crucial agricultural assistance, underscores the tangible effects of the shutdown. With the IRS also furloughing staff, the Martinsburg IRS facility may soon face similar disruptions. Historically, prolonged shutdowns lead to the suspension of more services, potentially causing significant economic hardship, especially in states like West Virginia, which are heavily reliant on federal employment.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito has acknowledged the situation, blaming Democrats for the stalemate while highlighting the critical role of federal workers in West Virginia. The economic fallout from the shutdown could have far-reaching consequences, with residents like Mark Mulligan expressing fears of catastrophic impacts on the elderly, disabled, and children.