SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Despite a temporary solution for the government shutdown, many families of federal workers fear relief will only be temporary.
Lawmakers have until Feb. 15 to compromise on a permanent solution to keep the government reopened.
“Can they really work together? It doesn’t seem like anyone can work together," said Laura, a Temecula mother and wife to a federal worker. “Nobody is representing us. No one is representing the worker-bee, the ones that work for you and keep this country running.”
Laura, who did not want to give her last name, says her family lives paycheck to paycheck. Her husband has continued working through the shutdown, commuting from Temecula to San Diego for no pay.
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While she's relieved there is a temporary solution, Laura fears they'll be in the same position three weeks from now.
“My husband, he cried when we got married and when my kids were born, and he started crying last night because he didn’t know what we’re going to do, what are we going to do?"
Making matters worse, their 14-year-old daughter underwent several medical emergencies in the last month.
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“She had her tonsils out, so we were kind of prepared for that and then about two weeks ago she was doing cheer leading tumbling and she broke her foot," said Laura.
They thought they'd hit rock bottom and then the unthinkable happened.
“She was in this golf cart accident where she was turned over and now her finger is amputated."
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The piling medical bills and uncertainty over whether there will be another shutdown have led the family to start a GoFundMe.
“To have to reach out is not only embarrassing but so sad we would have to be put in this position," said Laura.
She hopes stories like hers are heard loud and clear as lawmakers try to work out a permanent deal.
“I would like to say shame on you. Shame on the administration, shame on both the democrats and republicans for what they’re doing to every single person that works for you."
