Military families back home have more to worry about, food and shelter

"It doesn't make sense. Pass the bill. You guys are still getting paid. You don't have to worry about feeding your kids. You don't have to worry about your safety." Aimee Stafford

I wonder if the Republicans would read a story like this while demanding a rider to end programs they don't like be tucked into the budget? They will get paid if they do their jobs or not. The troops and their families will still have to do their jobs but won't be paid. They don't get to just stop the wars they are fighting and go home until they get a pay check again.

Soldier's Wife Watches, Worries About Government Shutdown
While Congress stalls, Americans ponder and worry about the impact of a government shutdown and among those most vulnerable, military families.
Reporter: Ed Pearce
Email Address: ed.pearce@kolotv.com

RENO, NV - While Congress stalls, Americans ponder and worry about the impact of a government shutdown and among those most vulnerable, military families.

Aimee Stafford sits in a bare apartment in Sun Valley. She hasn't fully unpacked from a move from Fort Hood, Texas.

She's alone with her three young daughters and suddenly she's has a bigger worry. If there's a shutdown her husband's pay could be delayed.

"It's real scary," she says, "because we have these three kids and I don't want to do this alone."

Aimee and Kenneth Stafford met, dated and married out of high school here. Today finds themselves a half a world apart. Kenneth serving in Iraq.

Aimee, with some serious health issues, having just moved back home to Reno to be close to family.

She's been looking for work in day care, but at the moment Kenneth's pay is their only support. Any interruption in his pay will mean hardship.

"I don't know if I'll have enough money to buy my kids food or have a roof over their heads."

It's something they've been unable to discuss and while he's in Iraq, a worry she'd rather he wouldn't have to face.

"I want him to worry about his safety," she says. "The way he is we're his number one concern. I'm sure this is stressing him out."

Aimee first started following the debate in Washington a week ago, now with so much at stake she says she knows what she would tell those involved.

"It doesn't make sense. Pass the bill. You guys are still getting paid. You don't have to worry about feeding your kids. You don't have to worry about your safety."

For now all she can do is wait out the news, continue to look for a job and hope for the best.

And if a shutdown comes and lasts..... "To be honest I don't really want to come to reality with it, but I know I need to start think about what I would do because it could happen and it might be happening as we speak."
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Soldier's Wife Watches, Worries About Government Shutdown