As of September 19, a authorities shutdown stays a powerful chance, with Congress going through a September 30 deadline to move a funding invoice.
After a six-week summer time recess, lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Sept. 9 to work urgently on stopping the shutdown. When the House left for its summer time break on July 25, President Joe Biden had simply exited the presidential race, Democrats have been getting ready to pick out Vice President Kamala Harris as their new nominee, and Republicans have been strategizing to counter the youthful candidate who appeared to rejuvenate their opposition.
Amid important disagreements over finances priorities, some Republican leaders, together with former President Donald Trump, are advocating for a shutdown except their calls for are met—akin to together with a GOP-led invoice requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.
Here’s the whole lot you should find out about how shut Congress is to a authorities shutdown, what it’s, why it occurs, and extra.
What Is a Government Shutdown?
A authorities shutdown happens when Congress fails to move the required funding laws for the federal authorities’s operations, or when the President refuses to signal such laws into legislation.
Here are a number of the important the reason why it occurs:
- Budget Disputes: Shutdowns typically happen when there’s a disagreement between Congress members or between Congress and the President on particular spending priorities, akin to protection, healthcare, social applications, or immigration insurance policies.
- Political Strategy: Sometimes, shutdowns are used as a political technique or bargaining chip to push for or in opposition to sure legislative measures. One celebration might use the specter of a shutdown to achieve leverage in finances negotiations.
- Debt Ceiling Debates: Although the debt ceiling itself is separate from the finances course of, debates over elevating it have typically led to authorities shutdowns when an settlement couldn’t be reached.
The Current Proposal
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced Thursday, Sept. 19 that he would take steps later within the day to advance a bipartisan authorities funding invoice after Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) did not move a partisan six-month funding measure tied to voter registration reform.
“Later at present, I’ll file cloture on a legislative car that can allow us to stop a Trump shutdown within the occasion that the Speaker doesn’t work with us in a bipartisan, bicameral method. Both sides are going to spend the following few days making an attempt to determine the very best path remaining for preserving the federal government open,” Schumer stated on the Senate flooring.
The House vote on the spending plan ended with a 202-220 defeat, as 14 Republicans joined almost all Democrats in voting in opposition to it. The plan paired a six-month stopgap funding invoice with the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which might require proof of citizenship to register to vote. Two members voted current, whereas three Democrats crossed the aisle to assist the measure.
Johnson, below stress from Trump and right-wing members, proposed the plan regardless of opposition from Democrats. Democrats identified that it’s already unlawful for non-citizens to vote in U.S. federal elections and cited research exhibiting no proof of widespread unlawful voting. Critics additionally argued that the invoice may deter some Americans from voting on account of restricted entry to paperwork like passports or delivery certificates.
Trump, emphasizing his assist for the SAVE Act, wrote on Truth Social, “If Republicans don’t get the SAVE Act, and each ounce of it, they need to not conform to a Continuing Resolution in any method, form, or kind.”
Schumer and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) issued a joint assertion earlier in September, warning, “If Speaker Johnson drives House Republicans down this extremely partisan path, the percentages of a shutdown go method up, and Americans will know that the accountability for a shutdown shall be on the House Republicans’ palms.”
What Does the Shutdown Affect?
Most federal companies should halt non-essential operations, shut nationwide parks, furlough staff, and droop providers till a brand new funding settlement is reached. Essential providers—akin to nationwide safety, legislation enforcement, and emergency medical care—proceed to function, however many authorities actions are paused.
During a furlough, lots of of 1000’s of federal staff are positioned on momentary depart with out pay, whereas important staff are required to work with out pay till the shutdown is resolved.
A protracted shutdown also can sluggish financial development, impression the inventory market, and create uncertainty in each home and worldwide markets.
When Was the Last Government Shutdown?
Government shutdowns usually are not unusual in U.S. historical past. Here’s a have a look at the newest ones:
- 2018-2019: The longest authorities shutdown in U.S. historical past lasted 35 days, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. This shutdown was primarily on account of disagreements over funding for a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico.
- 2018: Earlier in 2018, there was a short shutdown from January 20 to January 22, primarily on account of disagreements over immigration coverage, together with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
- 2013: Lasting 16 days from October 1 to October 17, this shutdown was attributable to a standoff over the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and budgetary issues.
- 1995-1996: A major shutdown lasted from December 16, 1995, to January 6, 1996, pushed by disputes over Medicare, public well being, and schooling funding.