Government Shutdown Enters Second Week: Past Recessions Offer Little Clue to Duration

Government Shutdown Enters Second Week: A Look at Past Shutdowns for Clues on Duration The federal government shutdown, which began on October 1, has entered its second week, with no end in sight. The impasse between Senate Republicans and Democrats over healthcare spending has resulted in the longest shutdown since 2018. According to a new NPR/PBS NewsMarist poll, more Americans hold Republicans responsible for the standoff. However, both parties continue to blame each other for the failure to pass funding bills. The current shutdown is reminiscent of the five-week shutdown that occurred from December 2018 to January 2019. That shutdown lasted for 35 days and resulted in significant disruptions to government services and the economy. "We're not going to negotiate with ourselves," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, on October 1. "We need Democrats to come back to the table and work with us." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, countered that Republicans were being inflexible in their demands. "We want to find common ground, but we can't do it if one side is unwilling to budge," he said. The shutdown has already had significant impacts on federal employees and services. Hundreds of thousands of workers are working without pay, while national parks and the Smithsonian Institution have been closed or have limited operations. In addition to the current shutdown, there have been 21 government shutdowns since 1976. The longest previous shutdown lasted for 21 days in 1995-1996 during the presidency of Bill Clinton. The impact of the shutdown on the economy is still being felt. A report by the Congressional Budget Office estimated that a two-week shutdown would result in a loss of $2 billion to $3 billion in economic output. As the standoff continues, lawmakers are looking for ways to break the impasse. Senate Republicans have proposed a short-term spending bill, while Democrats are pushing for a longer-term agreement on healthcare spending. The White House has indicated that President Trump is willing to sign a short-term spending bill if it includes funding for his border wall. However, Democrats have refused to budge on this issue. As the shutdown enters its second week, lawmakers and experts are warning of potential long-term consequences. "A prolonged shutdown can have serious effects on the economy and government services," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. The fate of the shutdown remains uncertain as both parties continue to negotiate. However, one thing is clear: the impact will be felt for weeks to come. Background: The federal government has shut down 21 times since 1976. The longest previous shutdown lasted for 21 days in 1995-1996. A report by the Congressional Budget Office estimated that a two-week shutdown would result in a loss of $2 billion to $3 billion in economic output. Additional Perspectives: Senate Republicans have proposed a short-term spending bill, while Democrats are pushing for a longer-term agreement on healthcare spending. The White House has indicated that President Trump is willing to sign a short-term spending bill if it includes funding for his border wall. Democrats have refused to budge on the issue of funding for the border wall. Current Status and Next Developments: The shutdown has entered its second week with no end in sight. Lawmakers are looking for ways to break the impasse, including a short-term spending bill or a longer-term agreement on healthcare spending. The White House has indicated that President Trump is willing to sign a short-term spending bill if it includes funding for his border wall. *Reporting by Npr.*