The U.S. Senate failed to pass a short-term spending bill on October 1, triggering the federal government first shutdown in nearly seven years. Except for government employees deemed to provide "essential services," hundreds of thousands of federal employees will be placed on unpaid leave. Some public services may be suspended or delayed, and the release of economic data will also be affected.

CGTN Stringer spoke with several New York residents about their views on the shutdown and how it has impacted their lives. Local resident Becky Adams said the current standstill means "the American people end up suffering for it." Another interviewee, Miles Brown, added, "I don't think that the government really represents where American people are at."