By Chris Clark, President and CEO, Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce

As headlines fill our newsfeed about the government shutdown, it can be easy to tune out the noise from Washington, D.C. After all, we’re busy running businesses, managing families, and building community right here in Queen Creek. But make no mistake—when the federal government stops functioning, the effects ripple far beyond the Beltway.

The federal budget process is supposed to be straightforward: the President proposes spending priorities, and Congress debates and passes 12 appropriations bills that fund the government for the year. Yet, that normal process has been broken for decades. Since the late 1990s, our nation has limped along through a patchwork of short-term spending measures known as “continuing resolutions.” These temporary fixes keep the lights on but do little to create stability or confidence.

Now, Congress is once again gridlocked. The debate centers on whether to extend certain Affordable Care Act tax credits or pass a “clean” continuing resolution—one that keeps funding levels the same without policy changes. The result? No agreement, no funding, and no authority for government agencies to spend money.

That means nearly 900,000 federal employees are furloughed, and another 2 million are working without pay. It also means delays in services, disruptions in transportation, and economic uncertainty that trickles down to our local communities. When federal workers stop spending, when logistics and shipping are interrupted, when confidence in the economy dips—our small businesses feel it.

Some may point fingers and call it a partisan problem, but the truth is more complicated. Even with one party controlling the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives, progress still requires 60 votes in the Senate — and since there are 53 Republicans, the other seven votes must come from Democrats or Independents. Right now, that level of bipartisan cooperation is in short supply, and America’s workers, families, and entrepreneurs are paying the price.

For communities like Queen Creek, this should be a wake-up call. Economic stability isn’t just a national issue—it’s a local one. Every small business, every family, and every job depends on a functioning government that can manage the basics. While we can’t cast votes in the Senate, we can raise our voices.

We encourage you to reach out to our Arizona delegation—Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, and U.S. Representative Andy Biggs—to urge swift action. A continuing resolution isn’t a perfect solution, but it’s the first step toward restoring normal operations. Once that’s done, Congress must return to the table to address healthcare, infrastructure, and other critical priorities with the long-term vision our country deserves.

To watch my video statement on the government shutdown, visit our YouTube page: https://youtu.be/mz9cxZqoi3A

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About Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce
We were formed in 2002 to solve problems so you can thrive because strong businesses create strong communities.