Everything you need to know about the government shutdown
by Spencer Wakefield
What a government shutdown entails is the suspension of all non-essential government functions, which can result in thousands of federal employees being unpaid, including armed forces members in active duty. This, understandably, does not go over well with the public.
In the past 5 years, there have been two separate government shutdowns. The most recent one began January 20th at exactly midnight, following the failure of the Republican controlled senate to get the 60 votes required for a budget. The shutdown technically ended on January 23rd with Democrats conceding to a short term bill that will keep the government funded until February 8th. However, looking at past shutdowns can provide insights on the most recent one, and a seemingly inevitable follow-up.
The first government shutdown was in 1980, with President Reagan vetoing a spending bill that would curb funding for the Federal Trade Commission, but was resolved within a day. Several one day shutdowns occurred in other years, always over budgeting issues.
The next major shutdown of note was the 1995-1996 shutdown, where President Clinton vetoed the budget bill sent to him by congress due to cuts on Medicare, environmental and education funding, and general public welfare. This resulted in a shutdown from November 14th to the 19th, 1995, then December 16th, 1995 to January 17th, 1996, the longest shutdown thus far.
A few more one day shutdowns occurred in the coming years, but the one most remember is the October 2013 shutdown, caused by congress Republicans attempting to dismantle Obamacare, lasting from the first of the month to the 17th at midnight, when President Obama signed a compromise suspending the federal debt limit until February 7th of the following year.
When most shutdowns occur, it is due to a divided government and Congressmen putting their party’s agenda before the overall welfare of the country. Most citizens disapprove of such actions, yet continue voting for the same candidates. This, if anything, is proof that democracy cannot function without a properly educated populace, and it is up to schools, like Craig, to keep freedom alive and prevent future events like a government shutdown.
In the past 5 years, there have been two separate government shutdowns. The most recent one began January 20th at exactly midnight, following the failure of the Republican controlled senate to get the 60 votes required for a budget. The shutdown technically ended on January 23rd with Democrats conceding to a short term bill that will keep the government funded until February 8th. However, looking at past shutdowns can provide insights on the most recent one, and a seemingly inevitable follow-up.
The first government shutdown was in 1980, with President Reagan vetoing a spending bill that would curb funding for the Federal Trade Commission, but was resolved within a day. Several one day shutdowns occurred in other years, always over budgeting issues.
The next major shutdown of note was the 1995-1996 shutdown, where President Clinton vetoed the budget bill sent to him by congress due to cuts on Medicare, environmental and education funding, and general public welfare. This resulted in a shutdown from November 14th to the 19th, 1995, then December 16th, 1995 to January 17th, 1996, the longest shutdown thus far.
A few more one day shutdowns occurred in the coming years, but the one most remember is the October 2013 shutdown, caused by congress Republicans attempting to dismantle Obamacare, lasting from the first of the month to the 17th at midnight, when President Obama signed a compromise suspending the federal debt limit until February 7th of the following year.
When most shutdowns occur, it is due to a divided government and Congressmen putting their party’s agenda before the overall welfare of the country. Most citizens disapprove of such actions, yet continue voting for the same candidates. This, if anything, is proof that democracy cannot function without a properly educated populace, and it is up to schools, like Craig, to keep freedom alive and prevent future events like a government shutdown.