Washington's struggling economy takes another hit from the government shutdown

Washington's Economy Faces New Challenges Amid Government Shutdown

The local economy in Washington has suffered significantly due to various measures enacted by the Trump administration. These include widespread layoffs of federal employees and ongoing law enforcement actions involving the National Guard.

Rising Demand at Food Banks

Many residents now depend heavily on food assistance programs as they face federal funding cuts, a weak job market, and the longest government shutdown in history.

"With the combination of the longest government shutdown, the mass firings of government workers and a fresh cut in federal food aid, the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington is bracing for the swell of people who will need its help before the holiday season."

Scenes at the Capital Area Food Bank

These efforts highlight the rising strain on community resources as federal aid diminishes and unemployment rises.

Author's summary: Washington’s economy is sharply impacted by federal layoffs and funding cuts, driving more residents to food aid programs amid the longest government shutdown.

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AP News AP News — 2025-11-09