A look at the history of government shutdowns in US and how it impacts Americans

As the United States hurtles toward yet another potential government shutdown, the nation faces a familiar, if unsettling, prospect. With the September 30 deadline to pass appropriations bills rapidly approaching, Congress is scrambling to fund the government and avoid the suspension of non-essential federal functions.

Such a shutdown would disrupt various critical systems, from health programs and Social Security to Medicare, SNAP benefits, Food and Drug Administration inspections, and small business loans, as per a report from Axios.

Impact on federal employees

Under a government shutdown, a significant number of federal employees find their roles suspended, leading to a cessation of their paychecks. This includes both those who cease working and those designated as "excepted" employees. Fortunately, their pay is eventually restored once government operations resume.

Historical precedents

In the annals of US government shutdowns, the most recent one holds the record as the longest, lasting for a staggering 34 days from late 2018 to early 2019 during the administration of former President Donald Trump. This particular shutdown concluded with a concession from President Trump, who did not secure the funding he had demanded for a border wall.

In the current scenario, Trump has expressed support for Republican holdouts who adamantly oppose any compromises to keep the government running. Unlike previous shutdowns, where the conflict often involved a standoff between the party in control of Congress and the President, the current impasse centers on dynamics within the House Republican caucus. Hardline Republicans are resisting spending agreements endorsed by their own party leadership.

Historical perspective

A flashback to government shutdowns of the past reveals that they have historically been marked by political brinkmanship. In one memorable instance, the longest shutdown before the 2018-2019 episode lasted 21 days from 1995 to 1996. During that period, then-President Bill Clinton and House Speaker Newt Gingrich were at an impasse. The Republicans aimed to balance the budget by slashing social programs and repealing Clinton's 1993 tax increase, leading to a blame game in the public's eye.

Interestingly, government shutdowns were not always part of the political landscape. Prior to the 1980s, federal agencies continued to operate without appropriations, assuming that funding would eventually be secured. However, in 1980 and 1981, U.S. Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti established the foundation for the government shutdown procedures still in use today.

Civiletti advocated for a stricter interpretation of the Antideficiency Act, a longstanding law that prohibits government agencies from authorizing expenditures exceeding the amount provided by Congress. Ultimately, Civiletti contended that government agencies had no legal means to operate during a funding gap, setting the stage for the shutdown protocols seen today.

As the nation watches and waits, the potential for a 22nd government shutdown in the U.S. in five decades underscores the perennial challenges of navigating fiscal politics and averting disruptions to essential government functions.