Government shutdown in the United States refers to the phenomenon where some or all federal government agencies cease operation due to a lack of funding caused by the failure of Congress to pass budget appropriations bills.
1. Reasons for the shutdown
The direct reason for the US government shutdown is that Congress failed to pass a budget appropriations bill. According to the US Constitution, every penny spent by the government needs to be funded by Congress. If Congress fails to pass the budget before the end of the fiscal year, the government will not be able to receive funding support, resulting in partial or complete shutdown of institutions.
2. The impact of the shutdown
Government shutdown: During the shutdown period, non core government departments (such as national parks, museums, etc.) will be closed, while key departments (such as police, military, etc.) will continue to operate, but staff may face salary suspension or delayed payment.
Interruption of public services: The shutdown may lead to the interruption of public services (such as visa processing, tax declaration, etc.), affecting people's daily lives.
Economic impact: A government shutdown can have negative effects on the economy, such as decreased market confidence and reduced consumer spending.
3. History of Shutdown
The US federal government has been in a state of "shutdown" more than 20 times in its history, with the longest one occurring during Trump's first presidential term from 2018 to 2019, lasting for 34 days. It is estimated that the shutdown caused a loss of approximately $3 billion to the US economy. 1100 out of 1800 employees in the White House Presidential Executive Office were forced to take unpaid leave.
4. Political Game of Shutdown
Shutdowns often become a tool for political maneuvering between the two parties. For example, the disagreement between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party on budget issues may lead to a shutdown, and the shutdown itself is also used as a means of pressuring each other.
5. Solution to the shutdown
The resolution of the shutdown usually requires Congress to pass a budget appropriations bill and the President to sign it into effect. For example, in December 2024, US President Biden signed a 45 day temporary funding bill to avoid a government shutdown.
Summary: The US government shutdown is the result of a deadlock in congressional budget appropriations, which not only affects government operations and public services, but also reflects partisan struggles and governance dilemmas in American politics.
原创文章，作者：btc，如若转载，请注明出处：https://www.xf1233.com/a/233
