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Oct 9, 2013 · The Man Who Invented the Government Shutdown. 3 minute read. ... in the four fiscal years from 1977 to 1980—every year of the Carter presidency to that point—Congress had failed to pass a ...
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- Denver Nicks
- HEWdown. When did it take place? Sept. 30 to Oct. 11, 1976. How long did it last? 10 days. Who was president? Gerald Ford. Who controlled the Senate? Democrats, 62-38; Mike Mansfield was majority leader.
- The Abortion Shutdown. When did it take place? Sept. 30 to Oct. 13, 1977. How long did it last? 12 days. Who was president? Jimmy Carter. Who controlled the Senate?
- The Abortion Shutdown II: Abortion Boogaloo. When did it take place? Oct. 31 to Nov. 9, 1977. How long did it last? 8 days. Who was president? Jimmy Carter.
- The Abortion Shutdown III: Dark of the Moon. Advertisement. When did it take place? Nov. 30 to Dec. 9, 1977. How long did it last? 8 days. Who was president?
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- Overview
- Nov. 20, 1981
- Sept. 30, 1982
- Dec. 17, 1982
- Nov. 10, 1983
- Sept. 30, 1984
- Oct. 3, 1984
- Oct. 16, 1986
- Dec. 18, 1987
- Oct. 5, 1990
Washington — Congress appears to be barreling toward another government shutdown, with Republicans in the House struggling to coalesce around a plan to fund federal agencies beyond a fast-approaching Oct. 1 deadline.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is insisting that billions of dollars to tighten border security be included in any stopgap measure to keep the government operating past Saturday night. The House voted on Tuesday to advance four full-year appropriations bills, which are unlikely to go anywhere in the Senate.
In the upper chamber, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is taking his own steps to advance a short-term funding measure, which attracted strong bipartisan support in a test vote on Tuesday. McCarthy said Wednesday that there is little support in the House GOP conference for the Senate's bill, and he plans to move forward with his own version of a short-term extension later this week.
A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to approve funding for federal agencies. Before 1980, agencies largely continued operating during a lapse in funding with the assumption that Congress would act quickly. But in 1980 and 1981, then-Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti authored a series of legal opinions that found government agencies didn't have the authority to continue running during a gap in funding.
President Ronald Reagan oversaw eight shutdowns during his time in office, the longest of which lasted three days. There were three funding gaps between 1990 and 1995, then none until 2013.
The threat of a government shutdown has become more frequent over the past decade, as Congress has found itself engaged in funding fights that are ultimately resolved with massive, year-long spending packages. The most recent lapse in government funding, in late 2018, caused $3 billion in permanent losses, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are expected to feel the impacts of a shutdown if a deal isn't reached this time around.
Duration: Two full days
White House: President Ronald Reagan
Senate control: Republicans
House control: Democrats
What happened: On Nov. 20, 1981, the Senate approved legislation that fell short of spending cuts Reagan had sought. The bill differed from a version passed in the House and funding technically lapsed at midnight, but since Nov. 21 fell on a Saturday, the effects weren't felt immediately. House and Senate negotiators worked over the weekend to reconcile their differences and passed identical bills on Sunday.
On Monday, Reagan vetoed the plan and ordered the government to shut down, placing 250,000 federal employees on furlough. Later in the day, lawmakers passed a stopgap bill to keep the government funded and allow more time for talks on a deal. Workers returned the next day.
Duration: One day
White House: Reagan
Senate control: Republicans
House control: Democrats
What happened: The one-day shutdown was not the result of a bitter stalemate, but happened because members of Congress were busy with social commitments.
The New York Times reported at the time that "congressional leaders barred a late-night session because of major social events tonight by both Republicans and Democrats." Reagan had invited members of Congress to a barbecue at the White House, while Democrats had a $1,000-per-plate fundraising dinner.
Duration: Three days
White House: Reagan
Senate control: Republicans
House control: Democrats
What happened: The shutdown arose in part from Reagan's opposition to a measure that included billions in funding for a jobs creation program and Democrats' opposition to money for the MX missile program.
Congress walked away from the jobs provision but included money for legal support for low-income Americans. Lawmakers also declined to fund the missile program, but Reagan still signed the legislation to end the shutdown.
Duration: Three days
White House: Reagan
Senate control: Republicans
House control: Democrats
Duration: Two days
White House: Reagan
Senate control: Republicans
House control: Democrats
What happened: Reagan and congressional Democrats were at odds over several provisions included in a funding bill that cleared the House, namely a crime bill favored by the president, and a water projects measure he opposed. Democrats also wanted legislation reversing a Supreme Court decision that found entire colleges that did not accept federal or state funding were not subject to Title IX's requirements even though their students did receive federal assistance.
Lawmakers approved and Reagan signed a bill that kept the government open for several more days to allow negotiations to continue.
Duration: One day
White House: Reagan
Senate control: Republicans
House control: Democrats
Duration: One day
White House: Reagan
Senate control: Republicans
House control: Democrats
Duration: One day
White House: Reagan
Senate control: Democrats
House control: Democrats
What happened: The lapse in government funding was the result of disagreement over providing aid to the Contras in Nicaragua and Democrats' push to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, a policy from the Federal Communications Commission that required broadcast licensees to cover different sides of controversial issues. The rule was repealed in 1987.
In the end, Congress approved nonlethal aid for the Nicaraguan rebels, but Democrats were unsuccessful in their efforts to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine.
Duration: Three days
White House: President George H.W. Bush
Senate control: Democrats
House control: Democrats
- Politics Reporter, Cbsnews.Com
- 3 min
- CBS News
- Melissa Quinn
- 1790. Some economists argue that the U.S. defaulted when the federal government restructured bonds issued to fund the Revolutionary War.
- 1933. Some economists argue that the U.S. defaulted when Congress passed a bill making it illegal for creditors to demand payment in physical gold.
- September 30, 1976. The government shuts down for ten days, from September 30 to October 11, when President Gerald Ford vetoes a funding bill for the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) as well as the U.S. Department of Labor.
- September 30, 1977. The government shuts down for 12 days, from September 30 to October 13, because the fight over abortion in the House and Senate, both controlled by Democrats, creates a funding gap in the Department of Labor and HEW.
Shutdown 2: September 30 to October 13, 1977. President: Jimmy Carter. Senate: Democrats (59-41), Majority Leader Robert Byrd. House: Democrats (292-143), Speaker Tip O’Neill. Why: The Senate ...
Jan 4, 2019 · TRUMP. 1/20/18 - 1/22/18 (3 days) The government shuts down after a failed bid by Democrats to force protections for so-called Dreamers from President Donald Trump. 2/9/18 (1 day) A procedural ...
Jan 9, 2019 · In 1977, the House of ... A 21-day government shutdown in 1995 and 1996 during President Bill Clinton’s administration had been the longest. David Scull/The New York Times.
