On January 12, 2019, the partial government shutdown in the United States became the longest in the country’s history, surpassing the previous record of 21 days set in 1995-1996. As of today, the shutdown has lasted for 24 days, affecting approximately 800,000 federal employees who have been furloughed or are working without pay.
Something fundamental had shifted, said Dr. Kathryn Olson, a professor of public policy at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. The prolonged shutdown is a symptom of a more profound issue with the US budgeting process, she explained.
According to reports, the shutdown has resulted in an estimated $1.2 billion in lost productivity for the federal government each week. The situation has also had a measurable impact on the national economy, with some analysts predicting a 0.1% reduction in GDP growth for every week the shutdown continues.
In Washington D.C., the effects of the shutdown are palpable. Many museums and national parks are closed, while others are operating on reduced hours with limited staff. The National Park Service has reported a significant increase in litter and vandalism at various parks.
A recent Facebook post from the National Park Service explained the reasoning behind the closures and urged visitors to respect the closed areas.
The shutdown has also had an impact on small businesses that rely on federal contracts. In a statement, the Small Business Administration said it is working to assist affected businesses, but noted that many programs are currently on hold due to the shutdown.
In terms of what happens next, it is unclear when the shutdown will end, as lawmakers and the White House continue to negotiate a spending bill that includes funding for a border wall, a key point of contention. As Dr. Olson noted, finding a resolution to the shutdown will require a fundamental shift in the approach to the budgeting process.
