How many government shutdowns

The shutdown ended quickly after Congress passed a continuing resolution for a little less than a month, giving them time to negotiate. Why: This one literally happened because Reagan and Congress had social engagements and forgot to keep funds flowing in the meantime.

I swear to God. Congress missed the deadline tonight for action on a catch-all spending bill needed to finance the Government in the next two and a half months, even though House and Senate conferees adopted a compromise measure resolving differences in the legislation approved by each chamber.

The House and Senate will not act on the measure until Friday. Congressional leaders barred a late-night session because of major social events tonight by both Republicans and Democrats. Why: This dispute concerned money both the House and Senate wanted for a public works jobs program, which Reagan threatened to veto.

Why: A variety of issues this time: House Democrats wanted more education funding, more aid for Israel and Egypt, less aid to Syria and El Salvador, and less defense spending than Reagan did. The two parties reached a compromise in which the MX missile was funded, and Democrats got a lot less money for education and secured their defense and foreign cuts, along with a ban on oil and gas drilling on federal animal refuges.

And this time, , workers were furloughed. Why: House Democrats were pushing a number of White House-opposed provisions, including expansion of Aid to Families With Dependent Children, the name used at the time for welfare. About , workers were furloughed for half a day.

Why: Congressional Democrats were resisting further funding for the Contras in Nicaragua, and insisted on reinstating the Fairness Doctrine, a Federal Communications Commission rule that had recently been abandoned, which required broadcasters to show balanced perspectives on political issues.

Why: Bush pledged to veto any continuing resolution that did not come with a plan to reduce the deficit. The House tried to override his veto and failed, forcing a shutdown in which millions of workers were furloughed. The House and Senate agreed to a joint budget resolution outlining a declining deficit, and Bush signed a continuing resolution. Why: Gingrich and Dole sent Clinton a continuing resolution including hikes to Medicare premiums, rollbacks of environmental regulations, and a requirement to balance the budget within seven years.

Clinton vetoed it, and the government went into shutdown. The shutdown ended with a deal among the three leaders to fund the government at 75 percent levels for four weeks so that negotiations could keep going. Clinton acceded to the seven-year balanced budget requirement. Foreign Policy U. Liberal Politics U. Tom Murse. Political Journalist. Tom Murse has been writing about politics and government for over two decades, and has been recognized by the Nieman Foundation for fairness in investigative reporting.

Twitter Twitter. Updated January 29, Key Takeaways Government shutdowns happen when legislation to allocate money needed for the operation of the government agencies fails to be enacted.

By law, most government agencies must furlough their non-essential personnel and stop or limit their activities during a government shutdown. While few last very long, all government shutdowns result in increased costs of government and inconvenience for many citizens. Featured Video. View Article Sources. Cite this Article Format. Murse, Tom. All 21 Government Shutdowns in U. Causes and Effects of Government Shutdowns. Weighing the Pros and Cons of U.

What Are Inherent Powers? Definition and Examples. Types of Federalism: Definition and Examples. Only one shutdown took place during George H. But the timing was right. The shutdown happened over Columbus Day weekend and most federal workers were already off for the holiday.

President Bill Clinton vetoed a continuing resolution in November over Medicare premium increases. The government shut down after Clinton vetoed the spending bill proposed by the Republican-controlled Congress.

After a long three weeks, the president and Congress agreed to a seven-year budget plan, which included "modest spending cuts and tax increases," according to research by the Regional Oral History Office at the University of California, Berkeley. Seventeen years later, the government shut down once again. Lawmakers couldn't come to an agreement on the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, in The House passed several versions of the bill to fund the government.

But each time, the Senate sent it back. John Boehner, the House speaker during the shutdown, said Republicans were fighting to keep the government open, but the Senate "continued to reject our offers.

When it comes to immigration and spending, President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers and Democrats were divided. Capitol Building is pictured in Washington, U. Barring a still-elusive political deal, funding for most federal agencies will expire at midnight on Thursday. Many government functions will grind to a halt in the second federal shutdown in three years. Museums and national parks will close and roughly three in five workers - out of a federal civilian workforce of 2.

Federal workers can stay on the job if being away puts lives or property at risk. But many would have to work without being paid until funding is approved. And those in less critical roles will be furloughed.