What Causes a Government Shutdown?
A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass a full fiscal year funding bill by the end of the current budget cycle on September 30, or when a short-term, stop gap “continuing resolution” (CR) expires. Without a new appropriation bill, departments and agencies whose budgets are set to expire cease operations except for those deemed essential to national security or the protection of life or property. The Anti-Deficiency Act prevents federal agencies from spending money unless it has been specifically approved by Congress.
In recent years, funding gaps have led to ten government shutdowns lasting anywhere from a few days to over a month. The most recent, from December 2018 to January 2019, was the longest on record. Shutdowns result in lost productivity, delays in the delivery of vital services to families and businesses, and loss of income for over two million federal workers who are either furloughed or forced to work without pay until the shutdown is over.
Many of the issues that lead to a shutdown are ideological, and the current one has been exacerbated by partisanship and infighting. Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are under pressure from their base to stand up to President Trump and use their majority control in the House to push back against Republicans’ agenda.
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