US Faces Potential Government Shutdown: Critical Systems at Risk
As the deadline for passing appropriations bills approaches, the United States is on the brink of yet another potential government shutdown. Congress is now racing against the clock to fund the government and avoid the suspension of non-essential federal functions before September 30.
Concerns are rising as a shutdown would have a disruptive impact on critical systems that millions of Americans depend on. Health programs, Social Security, Medicare, SNAP benefits, Food and Drug Administration inspections, and small business loans are all at risk of being affected, according to a report from Axios.
During a government shutdown, a significant number of federal employees find that their roles are suspended, resulting in the cessation of their paychecks. This includes both those who stop working and those designated as excepted employees. Fortunately, their pay is eventually restored once government operations resume.
The most recent government shutdown, which occurred from late 2018 to early 2019 during the administration of former President Donald Trump, holds the record as the longest in US history, lasting for a staggering 34 days. It ended when President Trump conceded, failing to secure the funding he had demanded for a border wall.
However, the current scenario presents a different dynamic. Former President Trump has expressed support for Republican holdouts who adamantly oppose any compromises to keep the government running. Unlike previous shutdowns where conflicts often arose between the party in control of Congress and the President, the current impasse centers around dynamics within the House Republican caucus. Hardline Republicans are resisting spending agreements supported by their own party leadership.
Looking back at past government shutdowns, they have consistently been characterized by political brinkmanship. One notable instance was the shutdown that lasted 21 days from 1995 to 1996 when then-President Bill Clinton and House Speaker Newt Gingrich reached an impasse. The Republicans aimed to balance the budget by slashing social programs and repealing Clinton’s 1993 tax increase, which triggered a blame game in the eyes of the public.
Interestingly, government shutdowns were not always a part of the political landscape. Prior to the 1980s, federal agencies operated without appropriations, under the assumption that funding would ultimately 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 argued 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 waits and watches, the potential for a 22nd government shutdown in the U.S. in five decades underscores the challenges of navigating fiscal politics and the importance of averting disruptions to essential government functions. The impact of such a shutdown on critical systems and the livelihoods of many Americans cannot be underestimated, making it crucial for Congress to find a solution before the September 30 deadline to fund the government and keep it running smoothly.
