The ongoing tension between Republicans and Democrats might trigger a U.S. government shutdown. Historically, this isn't new. Periodically, there's a looming fear of agency closures, leaving countless workers idle and suspending various programs. This scenario could advantage President Donald Trump. He's poised to issue executive orders potentially enacting decisions Democrats have previously blocked.
Several pressing questions arise:
- What exactly is a shutdown, and if it's so recurring, why hasn't it been resolved?- How would a shutdown impact the U.S., potentially weakening it?- How might Trump leverage this opportunity to strengthen his position?
A government shutdown occurs when the annual U.S. budget isn't approved, the government halts paying some or all employees. This not only affects workers, but it also empties numerous federal agencies. Sometimes, partial budgets pass allowing some departments to operate while others are furloughed. Absence of budget results in a full shutdown.
Source: aajtak
Shutdowns occur when Congress and the President fail to agree on the annual budget. This has surfaced many times, occasionally culminating in extended shutdowns. The 2018 shutdown lasted over a month, with federal employees left idle and essential services left unaddressed.
Political strife often drives U.S. shutdowns, making them hard to avert.- Congress and presidential disputes over budget allocation are common.- Sometimes discord over particular plans causes standstills.- Annually, the government must pass the budget before the fiscal year starts or else face shutdown.- No automatic legal solution exists to halt a shutdown; lack of consensus prolongs it.
This time, uncertainty looms large. If the government comes to a standstill, President Trump and his team, already known for enacting executive orders and altering rules, could gain substantial strength.
The Antideficiency Act in the U.S. prohibits the government from spending or borrowing without Congressional approval. Without an approved budget, the government can neither allocate new funds nor incur debts, pausing many operations until Congress approves funds. With no mention of shutdowns in this act, Trump could persist using executive orders during the lull.
Source: aajtak
The Trump administration already downsized approximately 200,000 federal employees, with another 100,000 cuts anticipated by year's end, as reported by Al Jazeera. The administration weakened several government agencies and programs, paving the way for unconventional decisions that could launch or shutter departments at will.
Under the U.S. Constitution, the President bears authority to issue executive orders, including military and security decisions. During the 2018 shutdown, Trump sought massive funding for the border wall, termed the 'Trump Wall,' arguing that it would curb illegal crossings from Mexico. His budget agenda faced opposition, leading to a shutdown with numerous federal employees working without pay.
Throughout this period, Trump attempted reallocating funds toward the wall, but the matter escalated through numerous courtrooms, ultimately halting the decisions.
