 "Why America is shutting down govts with increased frequency")
The US government shutdown has entered its fourth week and is the longest in the country’s history. There is no sign of lifting the shutdown either, with Democrats blaming President Donald Trump for not taking the issue at hand seriously.
The current shutdown is, in fact, longer than the one that occurred during Trump’s previous presidency. While government shutdowns are rare, the US has seen such an occurrence more often than not in recent decades.
Trump’s administration sounded the alarm on Thursday over potential turmoil at airports as the government shutdown threatens to drag into November, warning of ruined holiday plans for millions of Americans.
With the standoff in Congress over health care spending now in its fourth week, Trump’s Republicans and the opposition Democrats are facing increasing pressure to end a crisis that has crippled public services.
More than 60,000 air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are working without pay, and the White House warned that increasing absenteeism could mean chaos at check-in lines.
How are shutdowns longer under Trump?
This was not the first time the US government has shut down under Trump’s presidency. In fact, the last shutdown America saw was the longest one in the country’s history was also under the Republican leader’s rule.
The shutdown that began in December 2018 was a partial one, as Congress had approved annual funding for some agencies, allowing them to remain operational while others were forced to shut down.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAccording to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), around 800,000 people were employed by the affected federal agencies at the time, with approximately 300,000 furloughed, meaning they were not paid and were instructed not to report to work.
How is this shutdown different?
With no end in sight, the current shutdown is the longest in America’s history. Despite being the second such occurrence under Trump’s presidency, shutdowns in recent decades have become a more common phenomenon in US politics than before. For instance, before the 1980s, the eventuality of funding gaps was not shutdowns.
The current budget process was established in 1976, and since then, the government has had 20 funding gaps, resulting in 10 shutdowns.
After 1980, Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti issued legal opinions clarifying that, under federal law, agencies cannot spend funds without congressional authorisation. Only essential operations, including national security, air traffic control, and law enforcement, were permitted to continue.
Since 1982, under this new legal framework, funding gaps have more frequently led to full or partial government shutdowns that last until Congress resolves the impasse. Still, no shutdown lasted more than 3 days until 1995.
With inputs from agencies
 "Trump ends trade talks with Canada over TV ad opposing US tariffs")
 "Mafia, illegal poker games and NBA players: The gambling racket in the US, explained")
 "Trump takes 'drill, baby drill' to Alaska wildlife refuge, sparks concerns")
 "Tomato prices soar 400%: How shutting down of Afghanistan border is hurting Pakistan")
 "Trump ends trade talks with Canada over TV ad opposing US tariffs")
 "Mafia, illegal poker games and NBA players: The gambling racket in the US, explained")
 "Trump takes 'drill, baby drill' to Alaska wildlife refuge, sparks concerns")
 "Tomato prices soar 400%: How shutting down of Afghanistan border is hurting Pakistan")
