Looking back on the longest government shutdown in U.S. history

National Gallery of Art Image Credit: Associated Press

Last week on November 12, the longest-ever shutdown of the federal government ended, lasting 44 days, and having changed the lives of millions of Americans. This was the first government shutdown since the 2018-19 Shutdown seven years ago under President Donald Trump's first term.

The government shut down began on October 1 after the Senate failed to pass a Funding Bill. The House of Representatives passed a temporary funding bill, but it did not clear the Senate due to a Democrat-led resistance movement. In the Senate, 60 votes were needed, but essential Senate Democrats blocked efforts to pass the bill, with the Republicans only controlling 53 seats.

The main point of contention for Senate Democrats was that the Funding Bill did not include an extension of expiring tax credits to go towards cheaper health insurance.

The government shuts down when Congress cannot pass a bill to fund government services for a specified period of time. When a shutdown occurs, all nonessential services must cease, and any additional essential services must continue to operate without their proper funding. Employees marked as nonessential were furloughed or sent home with unpaid leave until the government could reopen. Example services include federal museums, zoos, and monuments had to close until the government was reopened.

One of the most significantly-affected government services air traffic control. Many air traffic controllers were expected to work without pay, leading many to call in sick, causing thousands of flights across the nation to be cancelled or delayed ahead of the holiday travel season.

SNAP Logo Image Credit: Alliance for Community Empowerment

One of the most contentious results of the government shutdown was the cancellation of SNAP food benefits for millions of Americans. SNAP refers to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly (or sometimes colloquially) called the "Food Stamp Program" provides assistance with food purchasing for 42 million Americans in low-income or no-income households.

As a whole, a government shutdown means paperwork for those that need it done gets delayed or grinds to a halt. Approvals for loans and permits can get delayed, contracts gets suspended, and many small businesses get denied backpay.

Government shutdowns are relatively recent in United States history. The first one ever began under President Ronald Reagan when he vetoed a Spending Bill in 1981, and seven more brief ones followed. There was a 21-day shutdown under President Bill Clinton in 1995. Barrack Obama saw a 16-day shutdown in 2013, and President Donald Trump oversaw the last one from 2018-2019.

Last week, seven Democrats and one senator who caucuses with them, voted to pass the funding bill. After it passed, it went to President Trump's desk for him to sign, allowing government services to resume. This new package includes SNAP food aid, guarantees backpay for federal workers, and reverses the shutdown layoffs. However, it does not grant the Democrats' principal request of healthcare cost assistance.

It will still take a lot of time before the government can resume operating at capacity prior to the shutdown. Americans should be on the lookout for how this shutdown affected them, because not all government shutdowns are created equal.