CQ Press Lecture Spark January 29, 2018 Connecting current events to your American Government classroom

Government Shutdown 2018 On January 20, due to the lack of funding, a government shutdown occurred. Federal workers were furloughed and national parks closed. The government reopened on January 23. What the shutdown is and, objectively, why it happened: “US government shutdown: How did we get here?” BBC News: US and Canada 22 January 2018 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39698546 This is what happens during a US government shutdown By Daniella Diaz CNN Sat January 20, 2018 http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/17/politics/what-happens-government-shutdown-explainer-congress-budget/index.html

Key Concept History of Government Shutdowns There have been 19 since 1976 Shutdowns might be viewed as a byproduct of a system of Separation of powers Two of the longest shutdowns occurred when one party controlled the Congress and Presidency: Jimmy Carter and the Democrats in the late 1970s “The History Of Government Shutdowns In The U.S.” Ron Elving NPR: Heard on All Things Considered January 18, 2018, 4:16 PM ET https://www.npr.org/2018/01/18/578956936/the-history-of-government-shutdowns-in-the-u-s “Government shutdowns in US history: Should founders share blame?” Associated Press October 1, 2013 https://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/government-shutdowns-in-us-history-should-founders-share-blame-097652

Key Concept Shutting down the Government is a political decision so parties get the blame—or the credit—for their actions. Some blame this recent shutdown on President Trump and the Republicans because they control both the White House and Congress and appeared to renege on an immigration deal. Trump and GOP are to blame for shutdown: “Poll: More voters blamed Trump and GOP for shutdown than Democrats” By Steven Shepard POLITICO 01/22/2018 https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/22/government-shutdown-blame-trump-republicans-democrats-357357 Trump and Democrats are to blame: “Poll: Democrats, Trump to blame for government shutdown” By STEPHANIE PERRY and JOHN LAPINSKI NBC News JAN 23 2018 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/poll-democrats-trump-blame-government-shutdown-n840246 Republican response to Schumer deal to end shutdown: Newt Gingrich: “Schumer Shutdown turns into Schumer Surrender” Fox News 24 January 2018 http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/01/24/newt-gingrich-schumer-shutdown-turns-into-schumer-surrender.html

Key Concept Others found fault in Democrats for not agreeing to a short-term deal that also extended CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program). Some Democrats viewed their leadership’s willingness to fund a wall to be a breach of the party’s priorities. General negative response to Schumer deal: “Democrats' shutdown deal looks worse and worse” Chris Cillizza, Editor-at-large CNN Updated 1:15 PM ET, Tue January 23, 2018 https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/23/politics/shutdown-schumer-analysis/index.html Mixed (but mostly negative) liberal responses to Schumer deal: “Liberals livid after deal to end shutdown” By Elana Schor POLITICO 01/22/2018 https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/22/government-shutdown-deal-liberals-angry-357268

Assessment Writing: Should Congress end filibusters when it comes to short term spending plans, making government shutdowns less likely? Debate: Government shutdowns are a robust sign of democracy because, sometimes, parties have differences of opinions that cannot easily be overcome. Poll: Who do you blame for the shutdown: Republicans, Democrats, or both? Short Answer: Given that the 2018 shutdown only lasted 3 days, why do you think there was so much media attention given to it? Current events quiz: 1. T/F: No government shutdowns occurred during the presidency of Jimmy Carter 2. T/F: Many liberals were angry that the Senate Minority Leader seemed to offer support for money to build the border wall as a concession during budget negotiations with the White House. 3. T/F: The 2018 shutdown was the first to occur with one party in control of the White House and both houses of Congress. 4. During a government shutdown: National parks remain open Congress does not get paid Members of the military get furloughed The White House shuts down All of the above None of the above The longest government shutdown occurred during the presidency of Jimmy Carter Ronald Reagan Bill Clinton Barack Obama Answer: False True F C