Partial government shutdown
A "government shutdown" is a suspension of non-essential government services, such as the administration of national parks, issuing of passports, processing of mailed IRS returns, etc. Despite the scary-sounding verbiage, the military and all other essential services continue without interruption.
History of Government Shutdowns
Since 1981, the U.S. government has been shutdown five times[1]:
- In 1981, President Ronald Reagan vetoed a continuing resolution which shutdown the government for the remainder of the day. Several hours after the veto, Reagan signed a new resolution and workers returned the next day.
- In 1984, workers were sent home for the remainder of the day until an emergency spending bill brought them back the next day.
- In 1990, the government was shut down over the Columbus Day weekend. Most workers had the days off, and were not adversely affected. President George H.W. Bush signed an emergency spending bill over the weekend and federal workers were back to work on Tuesday.
- In 1995-1996, the federal government was shut down twice; once on November 14 and again in late December.
Potential 2011 U.S. Government Shutdown
As of April 6, 2011, the U.S. Government is once again on the verge of a shutdown, as big-government liberals refuse to enact common sense, deficit-reducing legislation previously passed by the Republican House. Despite claims of a shutdown adversely affecting the American public, as propagated by the liberal media, liberals, and some RINOs, the only real effect a shutdown will have is there will be less government spending occurring-there will be no true damage done [2] Liberal hyperbole aside, there's no reason that the government needs to be working all year round; the Constitution only mandates that Congress meet once a year.
