There's definitely at this point an extent of frustration," said Brian Bartlett, a staffer on Capitol Hill, of the feeling in the capital. "It's like, the joke's over, we get it, we're ready to go back to work and school, and get things done."

But for days DC hasn't been able to dig out from record-breaking snowfall. And in a city where the president runs the nation from the White House, it turns out a white out can keep the country's business from plowing forward.

District residents aren't surprised the capital can't cope.

"It seems like the city never deals with snow very well," said DC local Joseph Hunsader.

This snow storm has virtually shut down the US capital. Government workers have stayed home all week. Each day the federal government is closed costs taxpayers $100 million.

"Sure of course you'd rather not have that," said Bartlett. "But at the same time do you want to risk people's lives trying to get in and out of work, especially in these conditions?"

But people not on the public payroll, like security guards, hospital staff, and even publicists are making it to work in these conditions.

"It's snowy and windy, but it's doable," said Michael Abrahams, walking to his job in public relations through the blizzard.

They are committed to their jobs.

“That’s how it happens when you work at a hospital," said Arrington. "You realize you have to be there it doesn’t matter what’s going on people are going to show up and the hospital has to be staffed.

And they believe the federal government should operate the same way.