'We're struggling': Federal shutdown is impacting everyday Americans in unexpected ways

Mike Yohannes has run a food stand in downtown Washington, D.C., for the past 20 years, surviving economic downturns while selling hot dogs, candy bars and an assortment of other edible items.

But the latest government shutdown could be the death knell for his business.

With foot traffic markedly down at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 11th Street where he operates, Yohannes said sales have fallen about 60 percent during the closure, which has affected nearby federal offices, museums and other tourist spots.

“Business is very, very bad,” said Johannes, adding that he pays about $525 in license and other fees every three months, besides food costs. “If it continues like this another two, three months, I’m looking at another job.”

While President Donald Trump and Democratic congressional leaders continue to haggle over his demand for $5.7 billion to fund a southern border wall, with both sides going on national TV to make their case Tuesday night, millions of Americans increasingly feel the impact of the impasse.

The effects are especially detrimental to the folks in the area around Yohannes’ stand, where merchants have been hammered by the partial shutdown, now in its 19th day.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/were-struggling-federal-shutdown-is-impacting-everyday-americans-in-unexpected-ways/ar-BBS0GnH?li=BBnbcA1