A former Commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Democrat Chai Feldblum, has been awaiting Senate confirmation for her third term on the commission. On January 2, with the ending of the 115th Congress, the nominations of Feldblum and two others for the EEOC expired. Now, Feldblum has announced she will no longer be seeking a third term.

Furloughed workers in need of relief are finding it, not in the government, but in their communities across the country. As workers approach their second missed paycheck due to the government shutdown, private corporations, religious groups, and community organizations have been working to help furloughed workers make ends meet.

Friday marked the first day federal employees from nine government agencies failed to receive a paycheck. Some of these employees have created online donation accounts to cover basic living expenses during their time without pay. While this can be an effective way to cover expenses, federal employees must be wary of ethical limitations to receiving gifts from outside sources.

Congress has passed legislation that will grant back pay to employees on furlough and working without pay during this government shutdown and any future government shutdowns that may take place. President Trump has indicated that he will sign the legislation. While this brings some relief to federal workers affected by the shutdown, Congress is still working to ensure contractors and other impacted groups receive compensation.

Over 800,000 federal employees remain out of work or working without pay due to the partial government shutdown. This week, employee groups are joining together to send a message to lawmakers that the government must be funded. The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), alongside 33 other public sector employee groups, have organized a rally to be held on Friday, January 11 in Washington, D.C. As the effects of the shutdown increase, groups have formed similar movements across the country.

Rep. Bradley Bryne (R-Al.) has reintroduced a bill from 2015 which would allow at least 10 agencies to be reviewed for removal. The Sunset Inefficient and Unaccountable Government Act (H.R. 7334) would require agencies and departments to undergo a review every 10 years before Congress. If Congress fails to reauthorize the agency or department, the agency head must move forward with its dissolution. National defense and security agencies are exempt from the requirement.

Over three weeks ago the federal government shut down due to lack of funding. Today, it remains closed. President Trump called several meetings with Congressional leadership last week but continues to say he will sign legislation only if it includes funding for a border wall- an appropriations measure Democrats have refused to fund. Not only are 800,000 federal employees either on furlough or working without pay, but soon, the federal courts will also be running out of funds and shutting down.

We’re living in a populist moment. But with so much energy devoted to the question of how politics is — or isn’t — addressing this challenge, less attention has been paid to how civil servants should adapt.