The federal government is heading toward another shutdown, and if it comes to pass, it could affect tens of thousands of employees in Massachusetts.
The Bunker Hill Monument in Boston is an important stop on the Freedom Trial, and managed by non-essential employees of the National Park Service. It would likely close in the event of a shutdown.
“Politicians go up there, they get paid by certain lobby groups to do things that billionaires want — not what the people want,” one woman said.
The U.S. government will run of money next Tuesday if Democratic members of the Senate and President Donald Trump can’t reach an agreement. Federal employees would take the biggest hit, with essentials ones still having to work without a salary.
“I feel like both politicians, both parties, we just got to come together and be unified as a country,” a man said. “Take ownership and be there for the people.”
The White House is reportedly telling federal agencies to prepare for mass firings. Some say the president is looking to reshape the federal workforce to reflect his priorities.
There are about 25,000 civilian federal employees in Massachusetts.
In addition to furloughs, the Trump administration has indicated that it would plan to fire federal employees in the event of a shutdown.
Trump has blamed Democrats for the uncertainty as a shutdown looms, although this week, he abruptly canceled a planned meeting with the party’s top congressional leaders — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer — writing in a social media post that “no meeting with their Congressional Leaders could possibly be productive.”
Six months ago, Democrats supported a spending bill to keep the government open despite objections from many in the party.
“In a shutdown, American families would be hurt in ways they almost have never been,” Schumer said in March.
The JFK Library and Museum is a federally owned building. It would close with the shutdown, offering a real life lesson in politics for those venturing out to Columbia Point.
“I think that responsible leaders reach across the aisle. We’re right near the Ted Kennedy Senate Institute. He personified reaching across the aisle, and you solve these differences,” a woman said.