The government shutdown has ended for now. A bill was passed to reopen the government for three weeks in order to figure out funding for a border wall.
It began on Dec. 22 and did not end until Friday, Jan. 25 which makes it the longest in United States history by exactly two weeks.
Even though this has been the longest shutdown in history nothing has been resolved except that government workers and facilities have suffered.
The shutdown lasted for 35 days in total in a fight between Congress and President Trump over border funding.
I wish people would read or listen to my words on the Border Wall. This was in no way a concession. It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2019
The previous record was held by the Clinton Administration since 1996 and lasted 21 days. Newt Gingrich gave President Clinton the option to close the government or cut funding to Medicare, Medicaid and other programs. It was not only about funding though, but it was also about an exchange between President Clinton and Gingrich that caused offense.
According to the Washington Post, Gingrich said that the shutdown was not only to do with the budget but also how he was ignored on a 25 hour Air Force One flight to the Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s funeral.
As the Shutdown was going on, Nancy Pelosi asked me to give the State of the Union Address. I agreed. She then changed her mind because of the Shutdown, suggesting a later date. This is her prerogative – I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over. I am not looking for an….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2019
This mirrors the shutdown of today in that it seems to be for petty reasons and not for the good of the majority of citizens.
The government shutdown began because of President Trump not receiving his $5.7 billion for a border wall or “whatever you want to call it.” The shutdown continued because of Democratic refusal to provide funding to such a highly controversial and expensive project.
According to Fox News, Trump canceled House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip overseas because she suggested he postpone the State of the Union Address until after the shutdown.
….alternative venue for the SOTU Address because there is no venue that can compete with the history, tradition and importance of the House Chamber. I look forward to giving a “great” State of the Union Address in the near future!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2019
Trump reportedly threatened to keep the shutdown going on for years in order to receive his funding according to Schumer, but it did come to an end and it was in part due to the organization of many government workers across the country.
Around 800,000 workers were expected to work without pay during the shutdown, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck.
Thousands of federal workers have faced uncertainty about the future, hunger and even eviction because of the shutdown says the Huffington Post.
Some will get back pay now that the government has reopened, but federal contract workers like security officers and custodians of federal facilities will not be receiving any back pay.
This shutdown has not been in the best interest of citizens because of the way it has affected everyday people and increased other risks.
On Jan. 25, multiple major international airports had to delay flights because of the decreased amount of air traffic controllers present. TSA also reported an increase in workers calling in sick which also could contribute to a security crisis caused by an increased passenger to screener ratio.
Lets just call them WALLS from now on and stop playing political games! A WALL is a WALL!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 31, 2019
Decreased customs agents at all ports of entry including land, air and sea can contribute to an increased danger of not only terrorism but also drug trafficking. The majority of drugs entering the US come from airports, shipping ports and across the southern border according to the American Addiction Centers.
Trump tweeted about the three-week reopening, “This was in no way a concession … if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!”
This shutdown was intended to increase the security of the US and instead did the opposite by refusing to pay workers for the services they do for this country. Democrats and Republicans will have until Feb. 15 to solve the funding crisis or perhaps enter another record-breaking shutdown.
Each side is going to have to compromise, but it is unethical to shut down the government over something that our country is so divided upon. Government workers and contractors should not have to fear for their livelihoods when solutions can be made.
