By Harshitha Kothapalli – Editor-in-Chief

“Harsh Truths with Harshi” is a new Advocate column written by Editor-in-Chief Harshitha Kothapalli. Kothapalli will break down top news events while also sharing her own insights, aiming to promote civic knowledge, discussion, and engagement. This week’s topics are: The End of the Government Shutdown, Sudan War vs. Media Silence, and “Drill, Baby, Drill.” 

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TOPIC 1: The End of the Government Shutdown

The United States federal government recently reopened after a partial shutdown that lasted 43 days, the longest in history. During the shutdown, approximately 670,000 federal employees were furloughed and many more worked without pay. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which in the fiscal year of 2024 provided benefits to an average of 41.7 million people each month was announced to freeze on November 1st. Meanwhile, agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) faced serious operational strain, with reports of flight reductions up to 10% at over 40 airports. 

The budget deadlock in Congress stemmed from competing priorities: one party insisted on extending tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) while the other resisted or wanted those credits removed, and disagreements also centered on funding levels for domestic and defense programs. Congress passed a continuing resolution that temporarily funds most federal agencies through January 30, 2026. 

Harsh Truth:

Millions of Americans were deeply affected by the government shutdown, with hundreds and thousands of jobs being lost. Many blamed the democratic party for failing to compromise on the fiscal year budget. However, Democrats maintained that the proposed Republican funding bills were unacceptable because they did not include an extension of the expanded ACA tax credits. This issue became a “red line” for Democrats, who insisted the health subsidies be addressed in the legislation itself. As a result, the shutdown ended with a temporary resolution, but no long-term solution to this critical healthcare issue. The episode also revealed the lengths to which the President is willing to go to enforce priorities, including cutting essential programs, delaying benefits, and risking economic disruption to achieve political goals. Will Americans open their eyes as our country begins budgeting for a Deportation-Industrial Complex rather than healthcare affordability? 

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TOPIC 2: Sudan War vs. Media Silence 

The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group. Fighting has been concentrated in major cities such as Khartoum, leading to thousands of deaths and injuries and displacing millions of civilians. Hospitals, schools, and basic infrastructure have been destroyed, while humanitarian organizations report shortages of food, water, and medical care. Despite the scale of the crisis, international media coverage has been limited, leaving global awareness and public pressure relatively low. 

The war has continued without significant international intervention, partly because attention has been focused on other global crises. Humanitarian aid has been challenging to deliver due to ongoing conflict, bureaucratic hurdles, and limited resources.  

Harsh Truth:
Millions of Sudanese civilians are living in life-threatening conditions, yet the global media has largely overlooked their suffering. The lack of coverage makes it harder for international organizations and governments to mobilize aid or diplomatic pressure. The silence highlights how international priorities and media attention often fail to align with the severity of human crises, leaving vulnerable populations without a voice or timely assistance. We are constantly discussing the war in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine War, which is undoubtedly important; however, this does not make the war in Sudan any less urgent. No crisis should be deemed more or less significant simply because it receives less attention; every human life deserves recognition and response.

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TOPIC 3: “Drill, Baby, Drill” 

The United States continues to rely heavily on fossil fuel extraction despite repeated warnings from scientists about rising global temperatures. Politics promoting oil and gas drilling, often summarized, even by our own president, as “Drill, Baby, Drill”. In his 2025 inaugural address, Trump declared a “national energy emergency” and stated: “We will drill, baby, drill”, adding that the U.S. has the “largest amount of oil and has of any country on earth, and we are going to use it.” Continued fossil fuel use contributed to greenhouse gas emissions, which drive climate change and lead to more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and environmental degradation. Experts warn that without significant reductions in emissions and increased investment in renewable energy, the U.S. will struggle to meet global climate goals and prevent long-term damage. 

Harsh Truth:

While scientists continuously warn us of irreversible climate consequences, policy continues to favor drilling and fossil fuel use. The U.S. is sending mixed signals: promoting energy independence while ignoring the environmental costs. Without decisive action, the nation is accelerating climate risks that will disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, future generations, and the planet as a whole. We preach paper straws, recycling, and electric cars, but we watch as the leaders and decision makers approve new oil and gas leases, roll back environmental protections, and double down on fossil fuels subsidies on our behalf. While everyday Americans are encouraged to make small personal changes, the policies driving the climate crisis remain unaddressed at the highest levels.