Government shutdowns in the United States occur when Congress fails to pass funding legislation, leading to curtailed services, furloughed federal workers, and halted non-essential operations. First enforced in 1980 due to strict interpretations of the Antideficiency Act, shutdowns have since caused significant economic and societal disruptions, with notable examples in 1995–96, 2013, and 2018–19. Unlike many parliamentary systems where executive and legislative alignment prevents such impasses, U.S. shutdowns reflect deep political divisions, often over budget allocations or policy priorities.

Image courtesy of interviewee. December 22, 2024