Government Shutdowns have been happening since 1976.
Three shutdowns in 1977 were over the abortion issue. Though it wasn’t the main bone of contention, the issue also figured in the shutdowns of 1978 and 1979.
Count the number of times the GOP used shutdown as a weapon to get their way, and the number of times the Dems caved on serious issues.
REAGAN Administration:
• Nov, 1981 – 2 days
Cause: Reagan wanted billions in domestic spending cuts and said he’d veto any bill without it. Congress didn’t meet his standards, so he vetoed the bill and ordered a shutdown.
• Oct. 1982 – 1 day
Cause: You’ll never believe this: Congress didn’t pass a new budget in time because they were out partying on deadline night. Priorities, people!! Reagan was having a barbecue at the White House for Congress, & Democrats were having a $1,000-a-plate fund-raising dinner. Who was minding the store? Apparently, nobody cared.
• Dec. 1982 – 3 days
Cause: Congressional leaders wanted billions to create jobs; Reagan opposed it. Democratic House opposed funds for a nuclear missile program. Congress gave up on jobs spending, but funded legal support for poor Americans. Reagan disagreed but signed bill.
• Nov. 1983 – 3 days
Cause: House Democrats wanted nearly $1 billion for education. Didn’t agree with Reagan on foreign aid and defense spending. Dems reduced education spending and funded the MX missile (cut in the last shutdown). They got their foreign aid and defense cuts. [Again: Dems could do better.]
• Oct. 1984 – 1 day
Cause: A deal on several issues wasn’t reached during a 3-day funding extension. Congress deleted some measures per Reagan’s wishes. Chickens.
• Oct. 1984 – 2 days (Yes, 2 shutdowns in 1 week.)
Cause: Congress attached to a funding bill a crime-fighting package, water projects funding, and a civil rights measure. Reagan offered to sign a bill without them. Democrats gave up on all three and agreed to temporary funding for the Contras. Yes, they were that wishy-washy.
• Oct. 1986 – 1 day
Cause: Democrats wanted expansion of Aid to Families With Dependent Children (welfare), but gave up on other issues Reagan opposed, and settled for a concession on sale of public-owned railway. Suckers.
• Dec. 1987 – 1 day
Cause: Reagan and Dens disagreed on how to aid Nicaraguan rebels, & reviving the Fairness Doctrine (recently junked by the GOP) requiring broadcasters to air different sides of controversial issues. Congress approved nonlethal aid, but not the Fairness Doctrine.
BUSH Administration:
• Oct. 1990 – 3 days
Cause: Bush refused to sign legislation funding the government unless it included a deficit reduction plan. Congress sent him a plan. Doesn’t take much imagination to figure out what was cut.
CLINTON Administration:
• Nov, 1995 – 5 days
Cause: Clinton vetoed legislation to raise Medicare premiums and roll back environmental regulations, that also required him to submit a 7-year balanced-budget plan. Both parties agreed to temporarily fund the government and produce a 7-year balanced budget.
• Dec, 1995 – 21 days
Cause: Clinton and the GOP disagreed on which economic forecasts to use: the Congressional Budget Office or Office of Management and Budget. Under pressure, Senate Republicans agreed to reopen the government, and gave up trying to enact a 7-year balanced budget plan.
* April 2011: House Republicans threaten a government shutdown unless Democrats accepted GOP spending cuts.
* July 2011: Republicans create the first debt-ceiling crisis, threatening to default on U.S. debts unless Democrats accepted GOP spending cuts.
* September 2011: Republicans threaten shutdown.
* April 2012: Republicans threaten shutdown.
OBAMA Administration:
* January 2013: Republicans tout another debt-ceiling crisis.
* September 2013: Republicans threaten shutdown.
* October 2013: 16 days
Cause: GOP threatened to block parts of Obamacare if they couldn’t delay it a year, and passed a bill to fund the government– without any major health-care provisions. Ultimately they didn’t defund the ACA.
* February 2014: Republicans tout another debt-ceiling crisis.
* December 2014: Republicans threaten shutdown.
* February 2015: Republicans threaten Dept. of Homeland Security shutdown.
* September 2015: Republicans threaten shutdown (over Planned Parenthood).
TRUMP Administration:
• Jan. 2018 – 3 days
Cause: Democrats wanted protections for “dreamers,” Republicans wanted to end DACA. GOP wouldn’t negotiate on immigration until government funding was passed. Dems blocked a bill taking away DACA protections, but agreed to fund government because McConnell promised a vote on immigration bill.
• Feb. 2018 – less than 1 day
Cause: Democrats wanted a solution for “dreamers.” Congress voted to increase domestic and military spending and fund the government. No deal was made for “dreamers.”
• Dec. 2018 – 34 (full) days
Well, you know the rest.