“Everything feels uncertain because of something completely out of our control.”

These are not my words, but I agree with the Arkansan who shared them: Washington has put them in a difficult situation.

Over the past several weeks, my offices have heard from thousands of constituents worried about the real-life impacts of the ongoing government shutdown.

The frustration is well founded. Hearing their worries, questions and stories only strengthens my desire to solve this problem before, as one Russellville resident cautioned, the consequences spread any further.

Right now, active duty servicemembers and citizen-soldiers in communities across our state are fulfilling their oath without the guarantee of an on-time paycheck. That distressing reality sows instability in addition to creating added stress for loved ones supporting those in uniform. They deserve better.

Fortunately, local institutions and organizations are stepping up to the plate to help them navigate the uncertainty with everything from loans to groceries and even counseling.

Veterans and their families have been harmed as well, including a widow from Hot Springs who struggled to secure the necessary forms from the shuttered National Archives to verify her husband’s eligibility for burial benefits. Instead, she was forced to use funds set aside for her rent and living expenses. This too is inexcusable and heartbreaking.

My staff and I have also heard from families anxious about access to Head Start programs. Without new contracts and funds, six facilities in Little Rock and North Little Rock will be forced to furlough staff and turn away nearly 500 young children reliant on developmental care. 

Food assistance for vulnerable Natural State residents is also in jeopardy. We have seen multiple news reports as well as direct outreach from individuals and families facing true hunger if the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program lapses.

Using these Arkansans, many of whom are veterans, children or elderly, as pawns in a political game is callous. It is past time to stop holding their ability to put food on the table as ransom and do the right thing. 

In the meantime, we are heartened to know local food banks, churches and good Samaritans will exhaust their resources to help fill the gap. Ozark residents are already seeing an outpouring of that spirit, and the same will be true between all four corners of Arkansas.

Every week this shutdown continues, billions of dollars are lost from our economy with widespread effects.

Small businesses have not been spared either, facing barriers to accessing capital or depriving farmers of vital assistance at a time when rural America is already struggling. One local aviation company has been unable to get its planes off the ground due to federal inspections going unperformed. More entrepreneurs and owner-operators will experience similar struggles and they can’t afford to wait any longer for relief. 

Travel is also becoming more precarious with each passing day. A professional pilot in Northwest Arkansas conveyed the ramifications including flight delays and safety concerns as the Transportation Security Administration and air traffic control struggle with staffing shortages. Sadly, those fears will materialize if something doesn’t change soon.

Arkansans from all walks of life are offering evidence that shutting down the government benefits no one. I will continue working to encourage five more of my Democratic colleagues to pass a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution that would reopen our government and better serve them. 

Thank you to all who have contacted my office to share these challenges that underscore the urgency of ending this shutdown. If you are impacted by the shutdown and don’t know where to go for resources, please contact my office. We will do what we can to help.