As the decade comes to a close, it’s hard to believe that the House of Representatives has been in constant shutdown for nearly 10 years. In 2009, the last government shutdown had lasted 21 days, leaving many federal employees without pay and the country with an air of uncertainty. Some thought this would be the end of government shutdowns, but a decade later, here we are.
The current government shutdown has been going on since December 2018. It is the longest government shutdown in history and its effects are widespread. From airports to national parks to the IRS, the lack of federal funding is having a major impact on the day-to-day operations of the US government.
The reason for the current shutdown is twofold. Primarily, it has been fueled by the fight over President Trump’s proposed wall at the US/Mexico border. The President has demanded $5.7 billion for a wall, while Democrats have only offered $1.3 billion for other border security measures.
With no resolution in sight, the effects of the shutdown can be felt across the country. 800,000 federal employees are without pay, unable to make ends meet. The MyPayrollHR scandal is just one example of the harsh reality of the shutdown, with federal employees losing thousands of dollars in paychecks and not being able to access their funds. Lack of federal funding has also resulted in the closure of national parks and a backlog in permits from the IRS.
As the government shutdown continues, the future looks bleak. It’s unclear how long it will last, and the potential economic impact of the shutdown grows more ominous each day. The country needs a resolution that can bring people together and finally end the stalemate that has paralyzed the government. Until then, the shutdown drags on and on.