The nation’s third shutdown in 12 years is once again raising anxiety levels among service members and their families because those in uniform are working without pay. While they would receive back pay once the impasse ends, many military families live paycheck to paycheck.
During previous shutdowns, Congress passed legislation to ensure that troops kept earning their salaries, but time is running out before they miss their first paycheck in less than a week.
A counter example is Kansas. GOP Sam Brownback, elected in 2011, destroyed the state’s economy following harsh right-wing philosophies turning the state into what many called “Brownbackistan” referencing his authoritarian approach. Brownback resigned at the lowest point after all his damage was done. The GOP lieutenant governor finished out the remaining 1 year of the term. At the next election in 2019 Democrat Laura Kelly won the office. She’s still governor to this day having been re-elected in 2022.