ABC News Daily What was the point of the longest US shutdown?
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Nov 12, 2025 Political scientist Charles Hunt from Boise State University dives into the chaos of the longest U.S. government shutdown. He breaks down its triggers, highlighting the role of healthcare subsidies and the impact on over a million federal workers. Hunt discusses the Trump administration's strategy to shrink government and the unusual legal battles around funding. The conversation touches on electoral consequences, pressure dynamics, and the surprising decisions of Democrats that shaped the outcome. Hunt sheds light on the risk of future shutdowns and the slim policy gains achieved.
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Why U.S. Shutdowns Keep Happening
- U.S. shutdowns occur when Congress and the president fail to agree on a federal budget or a short-term continuing resolution.
- They repeatedly rely on stopgap funding when annual budgets stall, making shutdowns a recurring feature of U.S. politics.
Typical Impacts And An Unusual Leveraging
- Many shutdown effects are typical: furloughs, essential workers working without pay, and service disruptions like halted research and closed monuments.
- The Trump administration uniquely used the shutdown to push workforce reductions and broader administrative priorities.
Shutdowns Strain Entitlement Systems
- Some critical programs like SNAP rely on reserve cash and special arrangements, so shutdowns strain systems differently than routine budgets.
- In this shutdown, courts had to order funding released after the administration resisted fully funding benefits.