Government shutdowns in the United States: Difference between revisions
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The construction "is when" grates on me. Maybe it's acceptable in current usage, but I'm going to be bold and try this rewording. |
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In [[U.S. politics]], a '''government shutdown''' is |
In [[U.S. politics]], a '''government shutdown''' is a situation in which the government stops providing all but "essential" services.<ref>[http://west.house.gov/sites/west.house.gov/files/RSC%20Shutdown%20Policy%20Brief.doc A distinction defined in the Carter Administration] (Whitehouse.gov .doc file)</ref> Typically, services that continue despite a shutdown include [[police]], [[fire fighting]], [[postal service]], [[armed forces]], [[utilities]], [[air traffic control|air traffic management]], and [[corrections]]. |
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== Reasons for a shutdown == |
== Reasons for a shutdown == |
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Revision as of 20:38, 16 June 2011
In U.S. politics, a government shutdown is a situation in which the government stops providing all but "essential" services.[1] Typically, services that continue despite a shutdown include police, fire fighting, postal service, armed forces, utilities, air traffic management, and corrections.
Reasons for a shutdown
A shutdown can happen when a legislative body (including the legislative power of veto by the executive) cannot agree on a budget financing its government programs for a pending fiscal year. In the absence of appropriated funds, the government discontinues providing non-essential services at the beginning of the affected fiscal year. Government employees who provide essential services, often referred to as "essential employees," are required to continue working.
Specifically, in the case of the United States federal government, the Antideficiency Act, together with legal opinions, particularly one written by Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti in 1981, define what is and is not allowed in the absence of an appropriation.[2]
Specific effects of a shutdown
A federal government shutdown causes a large number of civilian federal employees to be furloughed. Military personnel are not furloughed, but may not be paid as scheduled.[3][4]
The exact details of which government functions would stop during a shutdown is determined by the Office of Management and Budget.[5] However, some specific aspects have applied to all shutdowns in the past. Among these is the closure of national parks and passport offices.[6] "Emergency personnel" continue to be employed, including the military, border agents, doctors and nurses working in federal hospitals, and air traffic controllers.[7] Members of Congress continue to be paid, because their pay cannot be altered except by direct law.[8] Mail delivery is not affected as it is self funded.[9]
Shutdowns in the past have also affected the Washington, D.C. municipal government, putting a stop to utilities such as garbage collection.[10]
Examples
- United States federal government shutdown of 1995 and 1996[11][12]
- 2005: Erie County, New York shutdown[13][14][15]
- 2005: Minnesota state shutdown, during the first two weeks of July 2005[16]
- 2006 Puerto Rico budget crisis
- 2006 New Jersey state government shutdown
- 2007 Pennsylvania state government shutdown[17][18]
See also
- Deficit
- Fiscal policy
- Generational accounting
- Government spending
- Government debt
- Government budget
- Tax
- US-specific
- Fiscal policy in the United States
- National debt by U.S. presidential terms
- Deficit hawk
- Starve-the-beast
- United States federal budget
- United States public debt
References
- ^ A distinction defined in the Carter Administration (Whitehouse.gov .doc file)
- ^ Dellinger, Walter, Assistant Attorney General Office of Legal Counsel (August 16, 1995), Government operations in the event of a lapse in appropriations (memorandum opinion for the director, Office of Management and Budget)
- ^ Shutdown: 800,000 federal workers in the dark – 2011 Cable News Network
- ^ Government Prepares for Shutdown – WSJ.com
- ^ O'Keefe, Ed (April 2, 2011). "Government shutdown: Frequently asked questions". The Washington Post.
- ^ Belopotosky, Danielle (April 8, 2011). "What a Government Shutdown Means for Travelers". The New York Times.
- ^ O'Keefe, Ed (April 2, 2011). "Government shutdown: Frequently asked questions". The Washington Post.
- ^ Shear, Michael (April 7, 2011). "Will Members of Congress Get Paid in a Shutdown?". The New York Times.
- ^ Kolawole, Emi (April 8, 2011). "Government shutdown 2011: Will I get paid? What will be open? What can I expect?". The Washington Post.
- ^ Jouvenal, Justin (April 8, 2011). "Government shutdown could prove smelly for D.C." The Washington Post.
- ^ "Federal shutdown". CNN.
- ^ "Frontline: the clinton years: nightline transcript: government shutdown battle". PBS.
- ^ "Budget Mess Hits Cultural Groups,". The Buffalo News. February 7, 2005.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "County Leaders Brace for Closings". The Buffalo News. February 21, 2005.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "Services Shut Down As County Fails To Pay Up". The Buffalo News. July 3, 2005.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "Minnesota Experiences Unprecedented Government Shutdown Due to a Budget Deadlock". July 11, 2005.
- ^ "Pa. State Agencies Back in Operation After Budget Deal Struck".
- ^ Central PA Local News – Pennlive.com
External links
- House Committee on Rules: Government Report on Government Shutdowns
- Congressional Research Service: Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes, and Effects
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