President-elect Donald Trump has had a history with government shutdowns, with one lasting for 35 days during his first term, marking the longest shutdown in four decades. The recent scuttling of Congress' bipartisan spending agreement by Trump has raised concerns about the possibility of another government shutdown starting on Saturday.
In 2018, there were actually two shutdowns, with the more significant one commencing just days before Christmas. This shutdown affected roughly a quarter of the government, including departments such as Homeland Security, Justice, Agriculture, and Housing and Urban Development. The primary reason for the shutdown was the failure of Congress and the White House to reach a deal over Trump's demand for $5 billion for a border wall.
The standoff finally came to an end on January 25, 2019, when Trump agreed to a temporary funding measure that reopened the government without including money for the border wall. However, the repercussions of the shutdown were felt by many Americans and federal employees. The shutdown caused flight delays, canceled immigration hearings, and made it challenging for some families to obtain student loans.
Government shutdowns have significant impacts on various aspects of daily life and can disrupt essential services provided by the government. As the possibility of another shutdown looms, it is crucial for lawmakers to work towards finding common ground to prevent further disruptions and ensure the smooth functioning of the government for the benefit of all citizens.
