A week into the shutdown, federal workers are stuck in limbo
Oct 08, 2025•8 min
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Episode description
It's been a week since a federal shutdown ground work at numerous government agencies to a halt.
There's no indication that an agreement could come soon, as Republicans and Democrats in congress trade continue blame. Meanwhile, federal workers are stuck in limbo, and its unclear when or if they'll be able to return to their jobs.
NPR's Labor Correspondent Andrea Hsu and political reporter Stephen Fowler explain what's causing the impasse in congress and what's at stake for the federal employees caught in the middle.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
This episode was produced by Michael Levitt.
It was edited by Courtney Dorning, Padma Rama and Emily Kopp.
Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
There's no indication that an agreement could come soon, as Republicans and Democrats in congress trade continue blame. Meanwhile, federal workers are stuck in limbo, and its unclear when or if they'll be able to return to their jobs.
NPR's Labor Correspondent Andrea Hsu and political reporter Stephen Fowler explain what's causing the impasse in congress and what's at stake for the federal employees caught in the middle.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
This episode was produced by Michael Levitt.
It was edited by Courtney Dorning, Padma Rama and Emily Kopp.
Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
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