Thankfully, most talk about government shutdowns is just talk. That being said, federal spending bills may be the best leverage point for policymakers or parties to advance their priorities, so the threat of government shutdowns will continue to be an annual tradition in Congress and, from time to time, a shutdown may actually happen.
Following through on the threat of a shutdown is rare because it’s both bad politics and bad policy—something most politicians clearly understand. That’s why so many scramble each year (including now) to avoid one.
Without question, one side of the aisle can receive the bulk of the blame when the government shutdown occurs (it’s unclear who assigns that blame, however). Nevertheless, both sides lose politically. At the end of the day, if programs are not working or benefits are not being paid, constituents do not care who is technically at fault…they just want it fixed.
A government shutdown reminds voters that the legislative process is broken and they lose trust in Congress’ ability to solve problems. That reality will never be shaped by only one party or one group of policymakers.
As we approach the final days before a potential government shutdown, both sides are working—each in their own way—to advance the discussion and find a solution that secures enough votes. This is something Republicans cannot achieve on their own, making the negotiations especially interesting in these final moments.
While the chances of a shutdown are small (although not impossible), the political risk of a shutdown will hopefully help avoid this once again.
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