U.S. government shutdowns can interrupt federal employees' regular pay cycles, causing them to be temporarily unpaid and creating financial strain that can increase absences or push some workers to seek other employment.
high
process
Describes a general labor and payroll effect of government shutdowns on federal employees, which can affect staffing in safety-critical roles.
U.S. government shutdowns can increase national debt because they delay economic activity, postpone fiscal decisions, pause federal programs, and can raise costs when programs are stopped and restarted.
high
causal
General relationship between government shutdowns and fiscal outcomes