History of Government shutdown in Timeline

A government shutdown arises when the legislature fails to approve essential funding or authorization bills for the executive branch. This leads to a temporary halt of many government operations. Shutdowns often stem from disagreements over budget allocations and policy priorities between the executive and legislative branches. The effects can range from closure of national parks and delays in government services to furloughs of federal employees. Government shutdowns have become relatively common in recent decades in the United States, frequently tied to partisan gridlock.

1976: US budget and appropriations process

In 1976, the US government's current budget and appropriations process was enacted.

1980: First Government Shutdown

In 1980, government shutdowns started occurring periodically in the United States because of failures to pass appropriation bills before the expiration of previous ones.

1980: Civiletti legal opinions

Prior to 1980, funding gaps did not lead to government shutdowns, until Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti issued two legal opinions requiring the government to shut down when a funding gap occurs.

1980: Interpretation of Antideficiency Act

Since a 1980 interpretation of the 1884 Antideficiency Act, a "lapse of appropriation" requires that the US federal government curtail agency activities and services, and close down non-essential operations.

1990: Consistent Government Shutdowns

Since 1990, all funding gaps lasting longer than a few hours have led to a government shutdown.

1995: Government Shutdown 1995-1996

In 1995, there was a 21-day government shutdown during the Bill Clinton administration due to opposition to major spending cuts.

1996: Government Shutdown 1995-1996

In 1996, there was a 21-day government shutdown during the Bill Clinton administration due to opposition to major spending cuts.

2011: Fixed-Term Parliaments Act

In 2011, the passage of the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act in the United Kingdom made government shutdowns possible, which were previously impossible due to parliamentary convention.

2013: Economic impact of shutdown

During the 2013 shutdown, Standard & Poor's stated on October 16 that the shutdown had "to date taken $24 billion out of the economy", and "shaved at least 0.6 percent off annualized fourth-quarter 2013 GDP growth".

2013: Government Shutdown 2013

In 2013, there was a 16-day government shutdown during the Barack Obama administration caused by a dispute over implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

January 2017: Collapse of power-sharing agreement

In January 2017, the power-sharing agreement collapsed in the Assembly of Northern Ireland, hindering the parliament's ability to pass bills, including critical spending bills.

December 2018: Government shutdown

In December 2018, the United States experienced a government shutdown due to a failure to pass appropriations bills.

2018: Government Shutdown 2018-2019

In 2018, there was a 35-day government shutdown during the Donald Trump administration, caused by a dispute over the funding amount for an expansion of the U.S.–Mexico border barrier.

2019: Government Shutdown 2018-2019

In 2019, there was a 35-day government shutdown during the Donald Trump administration, caused by a dispute over the funding amount for an expansion of the U.S.–Mexico border barrier.

2022: Repeal of Fixed-term Parliaments Act

In 2022, the Fixed-term Parliaments Act was repealed by the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act, making a government shutdown virtually impossible in the UK.

September 30, 2023: Government Shutdown Averted

On September 30, 2023, a government shutdown was averted hours before it was to occur after a 45 day funding bill passed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.