Amid ongoing political drama, the United States government faces the recurrent threat of shutdowns due to funding disputes. With a looming deadline for a crucial stopgap funding bill, former President Donald Trump has urged Republicans to push for controversial immigration-related provisions. However, this strategy faces significant challenges.
Trump’s call for Republicans to incorporate noncitizen voting language into the bill has met resistance. Despite having a majority in the House, Republicans lack the necessary votes to succeed in the Senate, where Democrats hold control. House Speaker Mike Johnson has had to navigate this complex situation, revealing a short-term funding proposal with added Secret Service funds due to recent threats against Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The pattern of impending funding deadlines is a familiar one. Historically, the US government has often found itself on the brink of shutdowns. This continuous threat has persisted since the Trump administration, demonstrating a recurring issue within the funding process.
The Constitution mandates that government spending must be approved through ‘appropriations made by law,’ necessitating passage by both the House and Senate and presidential approval. This involves extensive financial planning, with $1.7 trillion in discretionary spending in the last fiscal year alone. Congress divides this into 12 different appropriations bills, drafted by committees in both chambers. Ideally, these bills should be enacted by September 30, aligning with the fiscal year start on October 1.
However, the process often falls short. This year, none of the regular appropriations bills have been passed into law. Although the House made some progress, the Senate did not pass any appropriations bills, resulting in a failure to finalize the necessary legislation.
When Congress fails to pass these bills, it resorts to temporary funding measures known as ‘continuing resolutions’ (CRs), which maintain government operations until comprehensive appropriations can be agreed upon. CRs are a stopgap measure, extending previous year’s funding rather than implementing new fiscal plans, and are typically used to avoid government shutdowns.
The inefficiency of this approach is well-documented. A 2022 Government Accountability Office report highlighted the systemic inefficiencies and the federal bureaucracy’s adaptation to such uncertainties. Despite this, last-minute CR considerations continue to pose significant challenges. Trump’s recent push for a shutdown to force a vote on a noncitizen voting bill exemplifies the political wrangling that exacerbates these inefficiencies.
Historically, Congress has struggled to complete funding on time, often relying on CRs. Since the late 1970s, only a few fiscal years have avoided the use of CRs, making them a near-constant aspect of the budget process. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) notes that CRs have funded the government for an average of 137 days per year since 1977.
The political manoeuvring surrounding these funding bills further complicates the process. Recent examples include the standoff over last year’s spending bill, which resulted in the ousting of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. His successor, Johnson, has encountered similar challenges, needing Democratic support to pass funding measures.
The potential consequences of a government shutdown are significant. Although termed ‘shutdown,’ these periods primarily result in a temporary halt of some government services and delayed federal worker paychecks, rather than a complete cessation of government functions. The longest shutdown in US history, lasting five weeks during 2018-2019, reduced economic output by $11 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Politically, shutdowns can be detrimental, with Republican leaders like Sen. Mitch McConnell cautioning against such actions, especially close to elections.
In summary, the US government’s funding process, marred by inefficiencies and political contention, continues to present risks of shutdowns. The reliance on CRs as a temporary funding solution reflects deeper issues within the legislative process, necessitating continuous evaluation and potential reforms to avoid future disruptions.
The recurring threat of US government shutdowns highlights the complexities and inefficiencies within the current funding process. Political manoeuvring and the reliance on temporary measures underscore the need for comprehensive reforms to ensure stable and efficient governance.
