How up-to-date would you say you are on the current state of the United States of America? You might know all about what is going on from listening to the news your parents watch every night, or simply snipping bits from the internet you come across. But you might also know nothing at all, and that is okay. Currently, the U.S. is going through a Government Shutdown.
You might be wondering what a government shutdown is, and, not to worry, I am here to explain everything to you. First, a government shutdown happens when the US Congress fails to pass the necessary funding legislation to finance government agencies and operations. Now applying that to our current situation, on October 1, 2025, the US federal government shut down after Congress failed to pass appropriations bills for the fiscal year. Now, a government shutdown might sound scary, and while it is no light measure, it does not affect you the way you might think it does. The shutdown affects federal employees, contractors, and members of the military. So think of TSA agents at the airport, Homeland Security, Justice, and even National Parks. For workers, this means that they must continue working without pay, while for government property, it would mean they would completely shut down.
This time can be difficult for some, but keep in mind that this is not permanent. Based on past history, the shutdown can last anywhere from days to one month. The most recent shutdown happened from 2018 to 2019, spanning 35 days (The White House). If you did not know any of this, that is okay; most people did not, like Megan Liao (11), who says, “ ” Since the current budget process was established in 1976, there have been 10 shutdowns.
But why do we have shutdowns when Congress fails to pass funding? The reason for this is because of the Antideficiency Act established in 1884. Under this act, federal agencies are prohibited from spending money without the approval of Congress. If Congress can not seem to agree, then the shutdown will happen. And as people talk about the negatives of the shutdown, this is a reminder that there are acts and laws in place to help keep the economy as balanced as possible, and to make sure everyone is on the same page. Like Emma-Claire Ho (12) states, “Though no one voluntarily wants a shutdown, it is just a reminder that no one will move on until the majority agrees.” It is a good thought to have that there are people out there who are looking to help us, and that government shutdowns are a part of the economy.
