Since 1976, how many times has the U.S. federal government experienced a shutdown due to funding gaps?
Detailed Solution:
Correct Answer: 22
Since the modern appropriations process began in 1976, the U.S. government has had 22 shutdowns caused by Congress failing to pass (or the President refusing to sign) funding bills. Shutdowns before 1980 were often short or symbolic, but post-1980 legal rulings required actual furloughs of federal workers.
U.S. Federal Government Shutdowns (1976–2025)
| Year(s) | President | Dates | Duration (Days) | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Gerald Ford | Sep 30 – Oct 11 | 11 | Funding disputes (budget deadlines) |
| 1977 | Jimmy Carter | Oct 1–2 | 1 | Funding gap |
| 1977 | Jimmy Carter | Oct 12–13 | 1 | Funding gap |
| 1977 | Jimmy Carter | Dec 19–20 | 1 | Funding gap |
| 1978 | Jimmy Carter | Sep 30 – Oct 13 | 13 | Spending disputes |
| 1979 | Jimmy Carter | Sep 30 – Oct 12 | 12 | Spending disputes |
| 1981 | Ronald Reagan | Nov 23–24 | 2 | Spending disputes |
| 1982 | Ronald Reagan | Sep 30 – Oct 2 | 1 | Funding gap |
| 1982 | Ronald Reagan | Dec 17–21 | 3 | Spending disputes |
| 1983 | Ronald Reagan | Nov 10–14 | 3 | Defense vs. domestic spending |
| 1984 | Ronald Reagan | Oct 3–5 | 1 | Spending disputes |
| 1986 | Ronald Reagan | Oct 16–18 | 1 | Spending disputes |
| 1987 | Ronald Reagan | Dec 18–20 | 1 | Spending disputes |
| 1990 | George H.W. Bush | Oct 5–9 | 3 | Budget disagreements |
| 1991 | George H.W. Bush | Nov 13–17 | 4 | Budget disagreements |
| 1995 | Bill Clinton | Nov 13–19 | 5 | Debt ceiling & spending cuts |
| 1995–96 | Bill Clinton | Dec 15 – Jan 6 | 21 | Debt ceiling & spending cuts |
| 1996 | Bill Clinton | Jan 20–23 | 3 | Budget disputes |
| 2013 | Barack Obama | Oct 1–17 | 16 | Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) |
| 2018–19 | Donald Trump | Dec 22 – Jan 25 | 35 | Border wall funding |
| 2025 | Donald Trump | Oct 1 – Ongoing | Ongoing | Medicaid reforms & tax credits |