Government shutdown

What Is a Government Shutdown?

A government shutdown occurs when the legislative branch fails to pass key bills that fund or authorize the operations of the executive branch, resulting in the cessation of some or all government operations. It’s like a giant machine suddenly stopping because no one has put in the fuel—only this time, it’s our country’s vital services and programs that are affected. Have you ever wondered how such a thing can happen?

The U.S. Perspective

In the United States, government shutdowns have occurred periodically since 1980, and they’re caused by a failure to pass appropriations bills before they expire. Imagine if your car’s fuel tank was empty, but you couldn’t find any gas stations because everyone was on strike—pretty chaotic, right? That’s what it feels like for the government when funding runs out.

Parliamentary Systems and Beyond

Under parliamentary systems used in most European nations, stalemates within the government are less likely. But even there, the executive must maintain the approval of the legislature to remain in power. It’s like a dance where both partners need to be on the same page for everything to work smoothly.

The U.K. and Northern Ireland

The United Kingdom’s Fixed-Term Parliaments Act abolished conventions that made government shutdowns impossible, but this was repealed in 2022, rendering a government shutdown virtually impossible. However, in Northern Ireland, a power-sharing agreement collapsed in 2017, resulting in a potential American-style shutdown. The British Government stepped in to keep local services funded.

U.S. Federal Budget and Shutdowns

In the United States, government shutdowns are caused by a failure to pass funding legislation or a temporary funding measure. The US federal government curtails agency activities and services, closes non-essential operations, furloughs non-essential workers, and only retains essential employees in departments covering safety and property protection.

Notable Shutdowns

As of 2024, there have been 23 funding gaps in the federal budget since 1976, with 10 leading to federal employees being furloughed. Some notable shutdowns include the 1995-1996 shutdown during the Bill Clinton administration and the 35-day shutdown in 2018-2019 during the Donald Trump administration.

Consequences of a Shutdown

Government shutdowns cause disruption of government services and programs, including the closure of national parks and institutions due to shortages of federal employees. A major loss of government revenue comes from lost labor from furloughed employees who are still paid, as well as loss of fees that would have been paid during the shutdown.

Imagine if your favorite park was closed because no one had the money to keep it open—wouldn’t that be frustrating? That’s just one example of how a government shutdown can affect us. Shutdowns also cause a significant reduction in economic growth (depending on the length of the shutdown). During the 2013 shutdown, Standard & Poor’s stated that the shutdown had taken $24 billion out of the economy and shaved at least 0.6 percent off annualized fourth-quarter 2013 GDP growth.

So, the next time you hear about a government shutdown, remember: it’s not just about politics—it’s about real people and real services. A government shutdown is like a giant machine stopping cold, leaving us all wondering when things will get back to normal.