Government Shutdown
Candlefocus EditorThe most recent government shutdown, which began in December 2018, occurred when President Trump sought funding for a southern border wall in exchange for the necessary budget legislation to fund the federal government. The shutdown lasted 35 days and was the longest in history. Government employees were furloughed, veterans and other Americans were barred from accessing federal services, and an estimated 6.7 billion dollars in stalled government contracts had an adverse effect on the U.S. economy.
A government shutdown provides a grim reminder of the potential consequences of political gridlock, as the inability to agree on a budget has a ripple effect throughout the economy. When government employees go unpaid, it cascades into a loss of consumer spending that directly hurts both large and small businesses. Taxes go uncollected, contractors can’t complete their work, and the federal workforce is put in an incredibly serious position of anxiety. Additionally, the resulting uncertainty delays business decisions and investments, harms consumer confidence and disrupts public services.
What's worse is that government shutdowns have become increasingly frequent due to the highly partisan environment in Washington. While shutdowns are a major political issue, they're also a major economic issue. It's imperative that leaders on both sides of the political aisle work together to avoid any future government shutdowns and protect the American economy.