David Childs, Ph.D.
Northern Kentucky University
Introduction
When there is a lot of bi-partisan discord between the executive and legislative branches surrounding passing end of year spending legislation we often begin to hear about the possibility of a government shutdown. It is important that American citizens understand what this means. What makes a democracy successful is when citizens understand their rights and the various processes that take place in the government as well as their civic duties. An important component in operating a well functioning democracy is an educated citizenry.
When Does a Government Shutdown Occur?
A government shutdown takes place in the United States when nonessential offices of the government close due to a lack of approval on the federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year. More specifically, when congress fails to pass legislation or the President does not sign an appropriations bill that would fund certain federal government operations and agencies a shutdown occurs. Sometimes the case is that the opposing party in Congress disagrees with the president and refuses to pass the spending legislation. For example, republican senators may refuse to vote for certain spending legislation that a democratic president wants to pass, this would trigger a government shutdown. NOTE: An appropriations bill is legislation in the United States Congress to appropriate federal funds to specific federal government departments, agencies and programs. The money provides funding for operations, personnel, equipment and activities.
If Congress passes all of the spending bills connected to the federal budget, a shutdown can be circumvented. However, if they cannot come to an agreement a government shutdown will occur. A shutdown will close many of the federally funded operations, stopping the work for federal employees that are deemed non-essential. Some non-essential organizations can stay open for a short amount of time running on cash reserves. However, when the reserve funds runs out the organizations close. This sort of stalemate continues until an agreement is reached within Congress or with the President and a budget bill is passed. In the recent shutdown of late fall 2018, President Donald Trump asked for federal funding to build a wall along the Mexican border, but Congress has not been able to pass legislation to support it, this triggered a government shutdown.
Government Shutdowns Have Happened Before
A shutdown is not new to the federal government, but it’s unusual for them to happen when one party controls the White House and Congress; this is the case for the Trump administration. In fact, because of sharp disagreements between both parties on spending, a shutdown has happened three times during his nearly two years in office. The recent shutdown has caused federal employees to be furloughed. This has not happened since 1974.
What are the Effects of a Government Shutdown?
Government shutdowns can affect many of the everyday government processing functions, including recruitment of law enforcement officers and the processing of social security cards and passport applications. Also, some functions of banks are affected by the shutdown, even though they are not government-controlled. Financial institutions cannot access information needed such as income tax records which may impact their ability to process new small business loan applications. Another possible affect might be that, payments from government sources to recipients of veterans’ benefits or unemployment insurance may be temporarily put on hold. In the fall 2018 shutdown triggered by the Trump administration more than 380,000 federal workers have been put on furlough and another 420,000 employees were forced to work without pay.
There can also be indirect effects of a government shutdown. It could impact other sectors of society besides the government, such as the business sector. In the fall 2018 shutdown, more than 380,000 federal workers have been put on furlough and another 420,000 employees were forced to work without pay. When federal workers are on furlough and as a result not spending, this could cause a loss of revenue within the businesses they normally would have patronized. The overall cost and impact on the economy as a result of a furlough can be devastating. Some shutdowns in the past have cost the economy as much as $20 billion, however some may not be as costly. Offices that do not receive funding from Congress can continue operating during a shutdown such as the Federal Reserve, the Post Office, active prison guards, police and firefighters, border patrol agents, air traffic control and active military.
The average US citizen may not understand the ends and outs of a government shutdown; many people may not realize what it means at all. The social studies classroom is a great way to educate students on this aspect of the American government. Below some teacher resources are provided to help social studies teachers create a curriculum highlighting key aspects of government shutdowns.
Teacher Resources/ Lesson Plans
STANDARDS:
- National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)- Standard 6 Power, Authority and Governance: Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of how people create, interact with, and change structures of power, authority, and governance.”
- High School Ohio Social Studies Standards: American Government Theme: Students examine the Founding Documents which form the basis for the United States of America and how the American people govern themselves at national, state and local levels of government is the basis for this course. Students may also impact issues addressed by governments through service learning and senior projects.
- Eighth Grade Standard ROLES AND SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT Content Statements: 22. The U.S. Constitution established a federal republic, providing a framework for a national government with elected representatives, separation of powers, and checks and balances. 23. The U.S. Constitution protects citizens’ rights by limiting the powers of government.
Questions for discussion: - What ways can a government shutdown affect the average person?
- What persons or citizens might be affected most by the government shutdown?
- Should Congress be held accountable for the government shutdown?
Teacher Resources/Sample Lessons
Teaching Toolkit: 9 Resources for Discussing the Government Shutdown
https://doingsocialstudies.com/2018/01/22/teaching-toolkit-9-resources-for-discussing-the-government-shutdown/
2013 Government Shutdown – Database of K-12 Resources
https://civics.sites.unc.edu/files/2013/11/Shutdown-Lesson_10.pdf
Five Ways to Teach the Shutdown
https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/10/five-ways-to-teach-the-shutdown/
Government Shutdown: A Teacher’s Guide
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/daily-videos/government-shutdown-a-teachers-guide/
Need-to-Know: Government Shutdown!
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/2013/09/need-know-government-shutdown/
The Government Shutdown and K-12 Education: Your Guide
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2018/01/government_shutdown_education_your_guide.html
References/Resources
Government Shutdowns Are Rare When One Party Controls White House, Congress. President Trump is On His Third
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/22/government-shutdowns-rare-except-under-president-donald-trump/2396942002/
Government Shutdowns in the United States
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_shutdowns_in_the_United_States
In Pictures: The Latest Government Shutdown
https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/22/politics/gallery/government-shutdown-december-2018/index.html
Here is Every Previous Government Shutdown, Why They Happened and how They Ended
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2013/09/25/here-is-every-previous-government-shutdown-why-they-happened-and-how-they-ended/?utm_term=.86403a7e84a3
Schumer Demands Trump ‘Abandon the Wall’ as DC Faces Shutdown Stalemate.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/schumer-demands-trump-abandon-the-wall-as-dc-faces-shutdown-stalemate
Government Shutdown 2018
https://www.politico.com/latest-news-updates/government-shutdown-2018
What Happens During a Government Shutdown? 7 Things You Should Know
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/what-happens-during-a-government-shutdown-7-things-you-should-know
Why the Government Shutdown Actually Costs Money?
https://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2018/01/21/why-the-government-shutdown-actually-costs-money-000624
The government shutdown is here. How does it affect you?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/21/government-shutdown-how-does-affect-you-what-closed/2391079002/
Government Shutdown 2018 and 2013 Explained
https://www.thebalance.com/government-shutdown-3305683
Before I read this article, I was only semi-aware of all that is included in a government shutdown. I didn’t know that government shutdowns can affect businesses and veterans. I am curious what exactly is defined as “nonessential offices of the government”. For example, to one administration, I am sure that parks departments and environmental departments would be high priority, but in another administration, I could see those departments as being viewed nonessential. So I am curious how exactly they are defined as essential or nonessential, and if they are truly nonessential, why do we as tax payers fund them in the first place instead of privatizing them. It was also interesting to me how the shutdown affects even minuscule things, such as passport applications. Over all, this was a very educational article and I learned a lot from it.
Government shutdowns are infuriating to most people involved in the country. A government can shut down due to inconclusive decision making. This, in my opinion, is the equivalent to a child throwing a tantrum and running to their room to avoid their parents because they aren’t getting what they want. People are continuing to work without pay (e.i. TSA agents in charge of making sure our airports are safe) because the government is struggling to make decisions. The people of our Congress and the President are elected officials that we the people trust to have our country’s best interest at heart. Their well-educated individuals that are capable of continuing to make our country prosper and grow. It’s hard to fathom prosperity coming to a halt due to a government not coming to reasonable conclusions one way or another.
Thank you Dr. Childs for further explaining what a government shut down actually is and what happens during a shut down. Though I understand the frustrating between the opposing party in Congress and the President, I just don’t understand why the people are left to suffer. From watching the news lately as almost a month has set in into the shut down, many federal employees are struggling to make ends meet because they are not receiving their pay. I personally feel that it is wrong in some aspects and the people shouldn’t suffer because of a dispute in the government.
It’s interesting to go more in depth about the government shutdown as it’s something going on around us right now. It was interesting to me the fact that its unusual for it to happen when the same party is running the house and Congress, which I feel raises a lot more questions then a typical shut down and it’s a little more concerning. I didn’t realize how many people are being affected by the government shutdown. It’s concerning that 380,000 are being put on furlough, but the government won’t even come to a conclusion for those people. Not even to mention the average person going without WIC or etc. The think the people going without their WIC, or food stamps are being the most affect by the shut down. I believe congress should be accountable. When I have a fight or an issue with someone we can talk and work it out, so why can’t the government come to a conclusion?
As someone who is the wife to an active duty member serving in the military, it is very important for military personnel and their families to have a complete understanding of what a government shutdown consists of. The current shutdown has not yet affected our family personally, but we do have colleagues and others who have been affected depending on their job title and status in the military. This article will be something that I will personally be able to reference to whenever a new spouse or family member has questions regarding the shutdown. It actually does not shock me that there have been three shutdowns, because for each one my husband is briefed over and over again as to what is expected and that they have to continue working even if that means it affects us negatively.
Being in a government shut down can affect the average person in many ways. One was is that it can affect the income of others. Those that might be affected the most are those that work for the military or through the government. Congress should be held accountable for government shut downs because this affects more than just them, this can affect the whole nation.
I personally never gave much thought into what the shut down effected. I do not work a government job so I never thought of the government withholding my pay check. I am the daughter of a veteran, so my father is directly effected. When the government is shut down he can’t recieve his benefits from the VA hospital. I’m glad I am now able to understand the way the government shut down works.
I was always wondering why the government could shutdown and leave many people without pay. I know it affects anyone who is currently working for or within the government system but I wonder how long this could hold until protest start happening. I know a lot of people are beginning to quit or not show up for work until pay has returned and I do not disagree with them. This article is very insightful and has provided me with the information I need to understand the shutdown completely.
I really enjoyed this article! Before I read it, I was not so sure why the governemnt actually shuts down. I learned that the cause of this issue is due to the approval on the federal budget not present. The shut down has caused many employees to be laid off, which I have also learned has not happened since 1974.
To be completely honest, I’m not very educated on things that happen within the Government. When I heard about the Government Shutdown, I didn’t really understand what that meant. My dad explained a lot of it to me when it first shutdown. We just recently went out of town, and he explained that everyone working in the airport wasn’t getting paid. It was so crazy to think about all of the people that were/are continuing to work with no pay.