At 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, the federal government closed its doors, leaving the city that depends on its rhythm to stumble.

“Once again, we’re in a federal government shutdown. The District of Columbia has already felt enough pain,” said D.C. At-Large Council member Robert White (D) in a video promoting his congressional campaign . “Thousands of families have lost jobs, throwing their families into chaos. Now more people are losing jobs, don’t know if they’re going to get them back, don’t know if they’re going to get back pay.”

The numbers tell one story.

Nearly 750,000 federal workers are now furloughed, their wages deferred and many’s dignity shaken.

The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the daily loss in compensation alone is close to $400 million.

But beyond statistic

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