Why the US government is always shutting down

How the US can shut down but other countries can’t

Towards the end of every year the countdown until the United States government goes into a shutdown begins. Congress and the President usually avoid it in the last hour, but sometimes they don’t manage to agree on a spending bill and the government actually shuts down. The US is really the only country that does this.

The longest one in history, in 2019, lasted 35 days. Federal workers — and many contractors — didn’t get a paycheck for 35 days. Some of those employees were furloughed, meaning they didn’t have to go into work, but more than half of them still had to go into the office unpaid.

So… why? It goes back to the Constitution and how the federal government funds its agencies. We talk to a law professor and workers who have been through a shutdown to explain.

[Nick-kzdg]

The fact that Congress still gets paid during a shutdown that THEY cause while regular employees are forced to work without pay, is disgusting.

[giordanobruno]

If Congress can’t do it’s job, they should be the first not paid.

I’m fact, they shouldn’t receive any compensation until the end of their term.

[Twas-RightHere]

If every other country has a standard and functional way of doing something, you can always trust the US to make it difficult.

[TheMedicatedArtist]

For once, I’d like to learn that the U.S. does something no other country does that’s actually beneficial to it’s citizens.

[alex-rsts]

If the new funding isn't approved, shouldn't the last funding be the default?

[thealienontheinternet]

No offense, but you guys are out of your mind. Shutting down the Health and Human Services Agency is the absolute cherry on top of the cake. A masterpiece of madness.

[trax]

Things to learn here.
1. We need a more cooperative government for our citizens.
2. As an adult you need to prioritize getting an emergency fund.
3. We need a better medical system for people out of work.

[wirasudewa]

In Indonesia, the rules are quite simple. When the government failed to reach an agreement on the spending bill, we reused last year's bill again. But so far it never happened.

[JamesBond-rbln]

In Australia we have a deadlock provision in our constitution for when this happens and an election must be called if a spending bill can’t be passed a certain number of times. Politicians on both sides usually don’t want to do this so they usually end up compromising and getting it through

[MobiusPeverell]

You're missing the most important difference between the US and the rest of the world: in pretty much every other country, budgetary bills are matters of confidence. If a budget fails to pass, the legislature is dissolved & an election is held. If the new legislature can't pass a budget, it is dissolved again & another election is held. This repeats until the people elect a legislature that's capable of doing its job.

[freyasourt]

Overall, 51% of traders think this year would favor stocks, mutual funds, and other equity-based investments, despite Treasury yields and other safer cash-like investments paying big. I’m looking for opportunities in the market that could fetch me $1m ahead of retirement by 2025

[Cian]

When parents don't agree on what to have for dinner, they don't stop making food for their children

[chimebath]

Can we all agree that we have one the most dysfunctional budget appropriation process in the developed world. This is madness.

[dinahmyte]

I like how she said "where would the incentive go?" ...like, the government doesn't have ANY incentive to work because they get paid regardless. If we DIRECTLY told our representation that they wouldn't get paid if they didn't meet their goals, we'd find change in government. Actually PUNISH our government. Not with OUR money, but theirs. No taxation without representation, no paid vacations when our country is in shambles...

[ronanmurphy]

In the UK, as with nearly all parliamentary systems modelled on Westminster, if the budget fails to pass, the government will collapse and snap elections are held. Controlling the money supply is imperative - in fact the actual title of the Prime Minister is the First Lord of the Treasury, indicative of how the executive governance arose from the ability to command the control of state revenue and expenditure.

[devindoherty]

This is so flawed. In Canada we call our appropriation bills Budget bills and if those don't pass it essentially acts as a no-confidence vote and an election is called.

[avinashlahane]

The more I learn about US the more I get to know how messed up the country really is

[michaleandmore]

It's like, US law makers, literally thought how can we cause the most inconvenience to everyone, while still being in power and doing the bare minimum

[univocalgold]

"Belgium with and without a government is the same Belgium, The US with and with a Government is not the same US" -my friend

[saurabhdas]

In India, if the spending bill is not passed during the first day of the Budget session (February 1, or the first working day in February) then that amounts to a no-confidence motion and the government is required to resign.