Government shutdown day 13

SALISBURY, Md. — Today marks day 13 of the government shutdown and in Maryland officials are still waiting to see how it might affect us locally.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has said that it could be one of the longest shutdowns in American history. Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce president, Bill Chambers said he has his own concerns but that if you depend on social security or Medicare benefits, you will still receive them.

Chambers said, “We applaud the more administration for the short term loan programs to help federal employees. But, you know, frankly, the longer this goes on, it just isn’t enough. These employees will be filing if they haven’t already done so for unemployment.”

Chambers added that if it is a prolonged shutdown, there will be high unemployment numbers. He said he is hopeful that the government will open back up in the next week or two.