Government Shutdowns Have Always Been a Mistake

Congress keeps managing to avoid a federal government shutdown, but often only barely. This Congress, time and trust for keeping regular programs going has been consumed by the majority party’s sweeping and polarizing attempts to grow the federal government.

This clash has largely derailed the annual appropriations process that was supposed to be finished in September, and another funding deadline looms on February 18^th. Yet shutdown showdowns don’t have to happen.

Government shutdowns are an unintended result of complicated budget laws. They disrupt programs and services that benefit the American people. They undermine Congress and federal agencies. It’s time for Congress to prevent them, once and for all, with automatic continuing resolutions.