Government Shutdown Becomes Second-Longest in US History: 4 Things to Know

Contact Your Elected Officials

Although Republicans have a majority in both houses of Congress, Senate Democrats are blocking the funding bill by denying a 60-vote margin for passage.

The government shutdown that started on Oct. 1 has entered its fourth week and is now the second-longest in U.S. history.

At Day 22 of the shutdown, Democrats and Republicans have remained at odds. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) has been speaking on the Senate floor for more than 17 hours to protest the Trump administration’s policies.

The Senate was scheduled to vote for a 12th time to reopen the government, but Merkley’s speech may derail that vote.

Shutdowns Began in the 1980s

The ongoing shutdown is the second-longest funding lapse in modern history, exceeded by the 35-day shutdown that started in late 2018 and lasted until early 2019. Funding lapse-caused shutdowns are a mostly recent phenomenon, starting in their current format in the early 1980s, according to the House of Representatives’ website.

Before the 1980s, according to the House, “funding gaps did not typically have major effects on government operations. Government agencies would often continue to operate during a lapse in appropriations, with the expectation that funding would be provided in the future.”

That all changed after a series of legal opinions by then-Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti in 1980–1981 suggested that federal agencies had no legal basis to continue operating during funding lapses.

During the 35-day shutdown, Democrats disputed President Donald Trump’s request for billions in federal funding to construct a U.S.–Mexico border wall, a signature issue in Trump’s first presidential campaign. Later, the Senate passed an appropriations bill without any funding for the wall. This came after Democrats took power in the House after the 2018 midterm elections.

A shutdown in 1995 and 1996 lasted 21 days during the administration of President Bill Clinton.

No End in Sight

On Tuesday, Trump said that the GOP won’t “be extorted” by Democratic lawmakers.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called on Trump to meet with Democrats on ending the government shutdown.

“Things get worse every day for the American people,” Schumer said at an Oct. 21 news conference before calling for Trump to meet before the president’s trip to Asia. “He should sit down with us” and “negotiate in a serious way before he goes away.”

By Jack Phillips

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

A Few Fun Alternatives to the”Gory Stuff” at Halloween

Halloween has gone off the rails with gore through the decades.  But there are ways to enjoy the "scary stuff" without giving into darker, pagan alliances.  

Germany Stands To Lose & Poland To Gain From The EU’s Latest Energy Move

The US is geostrategically re-engineering Europe at Germany’s expense in order to facilitate Russia’s post-Ukraine containment.

EBT Serfs Threaten Violent Mass-Shoplifting Spree if Food Stamps Cut

The EBT serfs of the underclass may be in for a rough ride come November, when mommy government is slated to wean them off the teat of state.

The Real Reason Why the Left is Unhinged

Nine out of thirteen of the original states required you to be a Bible believing Christian to serve in government at the time of the founding.

The Sacrificial Lambs of the Riyadh Standup Scene

Which is the greater injustice: jailing political dissidents, or millions dead from pharma crimes with no accountability for those responsible?

No Shutdown Meeting Until Stopgap Funding Approved, Trump Tells Democrats

Democrats are demanding Republicans renew Affordable Care Act subsidies in exchange for approving the House Appropriations bill.

Texas Appoints Higher Education Ombudsman to Enforce DEI Violations

Texas is moving to enforce bans on DEI practices in universities and potentially restrict college courses focused on gender and race.

House Judiciary Chair Refers Ex-CIA Director John Brennan for Criminal Prosecution

House Republicans referred ex-CIA Director John Brennan to AG Pam Bondi for prosecution over the 2016 probe into alleged Russian–Trump collusion.

FBI Has Arrested 28,000 Violent Criminals Since Jan. 20: Trump

President Trump praised the FBI for doing an “incredible job,” citing thousands of arrests and major disruptions of criminal activity nationwide.

Trump Calls off Meeting With Putin, White House Says

White House says Secretary Rubio and Russia’s Lavrov had a productive call; no further meetings or Trump-Putin talks are planned soon.

President Signs Rare Earth Agreement With Australia’s PM

President Trump hosted Australian PM Albanese at the White House, where both leaders signed a new agreement on rare earth mineral cooperation.

Trump Says Insurrection Act Is ‘Strongest Power a President Has’

President Trump detailed plans to invoke the Insurrection Act to address rampant crime, calling it the “strongest power a president has.”

Army Corps of Engineers to Pause $11 Billion in Projects During Shutdown: Vought

Russ Vought, director of the White House’s OMB, has added to the growing pile of federal projects paused during the government shutdown.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central