On October 1, the federal government initiated a shutdown, leading to significant concerns among students at Georgetown University, particularly those interning on Capitol Hill. Associate Vice President for Federal Government Relations, Katy Button, addressed the situation in a university-wide email, highlighting potential implications for students, faculty, staff, and their families.
Button emphasized that the federal government is the largest employer in the Washington, DC region, and the disruption resulting from the budget impasse would undoubtedly affect many associated with the university.
The shutdown occurred due to a partisan divide over various issues, including health insurance, which resulted in unresolved budget disputes. Many federal workers have been placed on temporary suspension or left without pay, regardless of their work status during the shutdown.
For Georgetown interns like Maggie (SFS ’26), working for Representative Sarah McBride (D-Del.), this shutdown poses additional challenges. Maggie expressed her concerns about not returning to her internship due to the non-essential designation given to House interns, meaning they are not permitted to work and are not receiving pay.
“The shutdown is so uncertain about when it’s going to end, and I only intern through December,” Maggie said. She noted that if the shutdown persists for an extended period, it could greatly diminish her internship experience.
Maggie explained that while the shutdown is difficult for all interns, her status as a part-time student means she can focus on her classes while others are left in a more challenging position. “The other interns are full-time, and they have nothing to do now,” she stated. “They’re kind of just hanging out in D.C. now without a job, which is hard.”
Despite the shutdown, McBride’s office has maintained communication with Maggie, informing her about the likelihood of the situation and how to prepare for it. “The general consensus was that we were likely going to shut down,” she said, reflecting on the normalized nature of government shutdowns in contemporary politics.
Lucas Beekman (SFS ’28), who is interning with Representative Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), described a similar sentiment within his office prior to the shutdown. He mentioned that he has not been informed when he will be able to return to work.
Beekman felt fortunate that the internship’s pay was not critical for him. However, he expressed concern for other interns who had traveled from out of state, as the shutdown presents significant challenges for them.
“I don’t think they have much to do besides this,” Beekman commented, highlighting the uncertainty and limbo many interns find themselves in during the shutdown. Notably, Deluzio has publicly supported a movement called “No Pay for Congress,” which aims to block congressional salaries during the shutdown in solidarity with affected federal workers.
In contrast, James Long (SFS ’28), who interns for Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), noted he could continue his internship but would experience changes in compensation and responsibilities. “The only difference will be that I won’t be getting paid until the shutdown ends,” Long explained, assuring that interns would receive back pay once operations resume.
While he still has work to do, Long acknowledged that capital tours conducted in the Senate were suspended as a consequence of the shutdown. According to Long, his office deemed interns essential workers, which enabled him to maintain his duties despite the federal closure.
Though the situation has impacted his work, Long remains optimistic about his future in government service. “The government has its bright days and its dark days,” he said. “I would love to see compromise and everybody figure out a solution that’s going to get federal workers that are furloughed back to work.”
Maggie also retains hope for her future in government despite the shutdown, often finding inspiration in the dedication McBride shows towards her constituents. “It hasn’t changed my aspirations,” she said, reflecting on the lessons she’s drawn from her experiences in the office.
Beekman, on the other hand, is concerned about how the shutdown may affect the scope of his internship. He speaks passionately about the need for more collaboration among lawmakers, emphasizing that if the shutdown continues for more than a month, he would miss a substantial portion of his internship experience, which lasts until December.
“That could be a big problem because I’m only here so long,” he noted. Beekman expressed disheartenment at the lack of cooperation within the government, stating, “It’s pretty sad that it’s come to this.”
He concluded with a plea for lawmakers to act in favor of genuine issues like health care and tackle the budget crisis adequately. “It is discouraging to see how firm they are in pursuing an evil, evil budget,” Beekman lamented.
As Georgetown continues to monitor the unfolding situation surrounding the federal shutdown, the university is committed to providing timely updates to its community. In her email, Button reassured students and others affected, stating, “We understand that recent changes within the federal workforce are bringing uncertainty and challenges, and we are committed to supplying as much information as we can to help you during this time.”
As the situation develops, Georgetown aims to support its students while they navigate the difficulties posed by the ongoing federal shutdown.
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