How the Democrat Shutdown Impacts Utah

As you may know, Senate Democrats shut down the government after they refused to support a clean, nonpartisan CR to fund the government. 

This is the same short-term measure Democrats supported 13 times under the Biden administration. And these are the same Democrats who once warned that shutdowns were “dangerous,” “disastrous,” and “self-inflicted harm” on hardworking families.

Here’s what that means for Utah:

• Utah’s economy takes a direct hit. Each week the shutdown continues, our state loses an estimated $157 million in Gross State Product, roughly $680 million per month. Economists also project that a month-long shutdown could cost about 500 Utah jobs.
• Roughly 40,000 Utahns, about 2.4% of our state’s workforce, are federal employees who will either be furloughed or required to work without pay until funding is restored.
• Essential benefits continue, but some programs face delays. Social Security and Medicare payments will continue, though Utah seniors who receive paper checks (about 2,400 people) may see delays. Veterans’ health care and benefits remain funded and operational.
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and SNAP food assistance programs face short-term strain. SNAP will continue for about 30 days before facing disruption; WIC relies on limited state reserves that could run out within a week if the shutdown continues. Together, these programs serve more than 220,000 Utahns, including 69,000 children.
  • Thankfully, President Trump has been hard at work trying to find a solution to allocate resources immediately to help the low-income women and children who rely on this support as Democrats continue their political games and prolong this unnecessary government shutdown.
• Small businesses and contractors are also impacted. The Small Business Administration has paused loan approvals, delaying an estimated $60 million in support to Utah small businesses each month of the shutdown. Federal contract spending is expected to fall by another $178 million, slowing job-creating projects across the state.
• The loss of federal paychecks and contracts means consumer spending in Utah will drop by an estimated $383 million each month the shutdown lasts, hurting local economies and small businesses.

Even during the shutdown, my offices remain open and ready to help.

If you or your family are affected by the shutdown, whether through delays with Social Security, veterans’ benefits, or small business loans, please reach out to Team Owens at 801-999-9801 or visit Owens.House.Gov/Shutdown.

Thank you for the honor of serving you. Team Owens will keep working to deliver results for Utah’s Fourth District and get our government back on track.