The longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history has now stretched beyond 40 days, leaving more than 29,000 federal employees in Oregon without pay. For many families, including one in Beaverton, the financial strain is reaching a breaking point.
A Family Under Pressure
Heidi Young, the wife of a federal employee at the Beaverton Social Security office, says her family is struggling to stay afloat as her husband continues to work without pay. Though he declined to speak on the record, Heidi shared that the stress of maintaining their household has grown unbearable.
On top of caring for their 13-year-old son, Heidi has taken on extra work to help pay for necessities. But with limited hours and low wages, she says it’s not enough.
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“I cannot raise a family of three on $19 an hour for 30 hours a week,” Heidi said. “My boss is doing everything possible to give me more hours, but we’re all limited. Funds are tight.”
Like many affected families, the Youngs have been forced to take out loans to cover basic expenses. “We’d probably be behind on two bills and a mortgage payment if we didn’t get the loan,” she explained. “It’s mainly for the mortgage and utilities—power, water, the essentials. Oregon’s already expensive to live in. We’re just trying to have ramen, soups, the bare necessities to get by until this ends.”
Emotional and Financial Toll
The prolonged shutdown has left families anxious about their financial futures. Heidi said she fears how they will recover, especially with a loan to repay and the holidays approaching.
“It’s not going to be like those holidays from the Bush era with the tree full of presents,” she said. “This year, it’s about keeping the lights on.”
For the Young family, the situation is not only about money—it’s about fairness. Federal workers like Heidi’s husband continue to fulfill their duties, yet have no guarantee they will be compensated for the time worked.
Uncertain Back Pay and Growing Frustration
Earlier in October, the Trump administration warned that furloughed employees might not receive retroactive pay, leaving thousands uncertain about when—or if—they’ll be reimbursed for lost income.
“We hope that Congress will approve back pay,” said Heidi. “But that’s not necessarily guaranteed. They could be working for free this whole time.”
Out of desperation, Heidi reached out to Oregon’s senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as President Donald Trump, urging leaders to act quickly to restore pay to federal employees.
“We just want the paychecks we are owed,” she said. “They’re putting in the hours and doing their civic duty. Even senators aren’t working for free.”
However, the responses she received only deepened her frustration. “Everyone just blames the other party for the funding block,” she added.
Political Stalemate Continues
The shutdown—sparked by a political standoff in Washington over budget allocations—has left thousands of families like the Youngs in financial limbo. Most recently, Senate Democrats blocked a bill that would have paid federal workers during the ongoing closure, keeping the gridlock in place.
Meanwhile, staffing shortages across federal agencies are reaching critical levels, and airports like Portland International (PDX) are facing flight delays as the FAA mandates cuts due to the lack of available workers.
Despite the challenges, federal employees continue to report to work each day, unsure of when their next paycheck will arrive.
Pleas for Understanding
As the shutdown drags on with no end in sight, families are asking the public for patience and empathy. Many, like Heidi Young, are juggling work, family, and mounting debt—all while serving their country without pay.
“We’re not asking for anything special,” Heidi said. “We just want to be paid for the work we do.”
Her story echoes that of thousands of federal workers across Oregon and the nation—families caught between politics and survival, waiting for the day their government finally reopens and their lives can return to normal.
“Until then,” she said quietly, “we’ll keep doing what we can to get by.”
