WASHINGTON —

From lower sales to frozen loans, the cost of the government shutdown has been borne by small businesses across the country, but Congress doesn't appear to be any closer to a compromise.

At Sweet Lemon Cafe in Washington, D.C., owner Aksana Tran said the typical lunchtime rush has dropped by about 50% since the shutdown started 27 days ago.

"We still do OK during breakfast, but for lunch it's just, like, empty," Tran said.

Located a few blocks away from Capitol Hill, Tran said many of her regular customers are furloughed federal employees. Tran said that, because of the dip in sales, she is currently going without pay, too.

"Small businesses suffer, their families suffer," Tran said. "It's not only a political issue. It's our lives."

The impact for small businesses str

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