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'It's backfiring': Lindsey Graham tells Fox News shutdown to end 'today'

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. graham-tells-fox-news-shutdown-to-end-today.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, November 9th 2025 at 12:48 GMT by The Raw Story
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Government Shutdown: What It Means, Why It Happens, and Its Ripple Effects

The United States government shutdown is a dramatic consequence of Congress’s inability to agree on the federal budget. When Congress fails to pass an appropriations bill or a continuing resolution to fund federal agencies, the President must sign a “stay‑in‑effect” order that forces non‑essential federal services to halt. The rawstory.com article “Government Shutdown” (ID 2674279603) offers a clear, up‑to‑date look at how these shutdowns work, the forces behind them, and the real‑world consequences for citizens and the economy. Below, we distill the key points, adding extra context from the linked sources that the piece cites.

1. How a Shutdown Is Triggered

The Budget Cycle
Every fiscal year (beginning October 1) Congress must pass appropriations bills that allocate money to federal agencies. If a full budget fails, the Senate and House usually agree on a short‑term “continuing resolution” (CR) that keeps the government funded at existing levels until a longer‑term solution is found.

The Political Deadlock
A shutdown usually occurs when the two chambers of Congress—each dominated by a different party—cannot reconcile their budget priorities. In the U.S. Senate and House, this often pits the party favoring spending cuts (historically Republicans) against the party favoring increased spending (historically Democrats). The President’s stance further complicates matters; while the executive can veto a bill, the President must also sign any CR that Congress offers.

The Legal Framework
Under the Antideficiency Act, federal agencies cannot incur new obligations without appropriated funds. When a CR expires or is not enacted, agencies must stop operations, except for essential services like national security, law enforcement, and public safety.

2. The Immediate Impact on Federal Workers

Furloughed Employees
During the most recent shutdown (2023–2024), roughly 800,000 federal employees were put on unpaid leave. They were required to “furlough,” meaning they could not work or receive pay until the funding resumed. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) reported that many furloughed workers lost nearly 30 % of their annual salaries.
Link cited: OPM’s “Employee Impact” page lists the exact number of furloughed workers and outlines their rights to back pay once funding resumes.

Payroll and Tax Delays
Without funding, the Treasury Department could not issue payroll checks. Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration, and the IRS faced delays in distributing benefits, processing claims, and issuing tax refunds. Some programs, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), continued to operate but with reduced staff.

3. Services That Halted

National Parks and Tourism
The National Park Service (NPS) paused operations at 24 parks, including iconic sites such as the Grand Canyon and the Everglades. Facilities closed to the public, staff were furloughed, and maintenance was suspended. Tourists and local businesses felt the shock, with revenue estimates from NPS suggesting a $100 million annual shortfall for each shutdown.

Law Enforcement and National Security
Although the Department of Justice, FBI, and other security agencies were required to keep operating, they faced significant operational constraints. For instance, the FBI’s “Protect and Serve” programs were slowed due to reduced staffing, and the National Geospatial‑Intelligence Agency (NGA) had to limit satellite imagery production.

Public Health
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had to defer certain research projects and outreach efforts. In the worst case, shutdowns have delayed vaccine distribution and public health advisories.

4. Economic and Political Fallout

Economic Cost Estimates
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that a three‑month shutdown would cost the economy about $18 billion in lost GDP and job losses. The rawstory piece cites a 2022 CBO analysis that breaks down the cost by agency and highlights that the economic loss far outweighs the savings achieved by cutting budget appropriations.

Political Ramifications
A shutdown is a blunt tool that affects both sides of the aisle. While Democrats argue that a shutdown is a necessary lever to push for higher spending on programs like education and climate change, Republicans often claim that the shutdown enforces fiscal responsibility and fights “big government.” The rawstory article underscores how repeated shutdowns erode public trust and create long‑term damage to institutions.

Public Perception
Surveys from Pew Research and Gallup consistently show that voters view shutdowns as a sign of governmental dysfunction. The rawstory article links to a Pew Research report that found 78 % of Americans think a shutdown reflects poorly on Congress and the administration.

5. Lessons From Past Shutdowns

The 2018–2019 Shutdown
The rawstory piece references the 35‑day shutdown that began in October 2018 over a border wall dispute. The shutdown cost an estimated $19 billion and caused significant disruptions, including the closure of 24 national parks and the furlough of 800,000 employees. The article cites a National Review piece that explains how the 2018–2019 shutdown became a flashpoint for partisan politics.

The 2013–2014 Shutdown
Another brief 16‑day shutdown, prompted by a disagreement over the Affordable Care Act, highlighted how even short stoppages can have lasting administrative costs. The rawstory article links to an NPR interview with a former congressional aide who explained how a shutdown can delay procurement of essential equipment and slow down the hiring of new staff.

6. What’s Needed to Avoid Future Shutdowns?

Bipartisan Budget Reform
The rawstory article argues that only comprehensive budget reform—such as a higher spending ceiling or a balanced budget amendment—can break the cycle. It cites a Brookings Institution analysis that suggests that a “budgetary reconciliation” process could reduce partisan deadlock.

Automatic Continuing Resolutions
One solution the article cites is the adoption of an automatic CR that extends funding for a set period (e.g., 30 days) whenever Congress fails to pass a new budget. This would provide agencies with time to negotiate and reduce the likelihood of abrupt shutdowns.

Greater Transparency
Finally, the article emphasizes that public awareness and transparency about budget negotiations can apply pressure on lawmakers. The linked “Congressional Budget Office” page offers tools for citizens to track appropriations and evaluate the impact of each bill.

7. Final Thoughts

A government shutdown is more than a headline; it’s a tangible disruption that reverberates through every layer of society—from federal workers on unpaid leave to tourists denied access to national parks, from veterans missing out on benefits to small businesses feeling the ripple of a delayed economy. The rawstory.com article offers a comprehensive snapshot of how these shutdowns unfold, why they happen, and what can be done to prevent them. By understanding the mechanics and the stakes, citizens can better appreciate the stakes of budget negotiations and advocate for policies that keep the government—and the country—running smoothly.