A government shutdown occurs when Congress does not pass a full year’s worth of funding bills for departments and agencies or the short-term, stop gap “continuing resolution” (CR) funding runs out. Without a new funding bill, the Antideficiency Act prohibits most activities. Exceptions include essential services like law enforcement, military operations, and air traffic control.
When the funding gaps occur, hundreds of thousands of federal workers are furloughed. In most cases, they will be paid back when the government reopens. Other employees, such as those whose work is deemed essential, such as TSA airport security and law enforcement, stay on the job but don’t get paid until the shutdown ends.
Some departments and agencies are exempt from the shutdown if they have already spent previously appropriated sums or have income streams such as fees that they can tap. In general, the more time that a shutdown lasts, the greater the economic damage. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that the 2018-2019 shutdown reduced GDP by $3 billion in the fourth quarter and another $8 billion in the first quarter.
America’s leaders shouldn’t have to use the threat of a shutdown as leverage in their political fights. We shouldn’t have to halt national parks, stop cancer research at the National Institutes of Health, or interrupt food safety inspections. The United States has a global reputation as an example of democratic governance, and these domestic political issues tarnish that. A permanent solution is needed to end shutdowns and keep the nation’s critical services running smoothly.
About the Author
