As Congress continues to clash over budget negotiations, the federal government faces yet another shutdown. Thomas Hayes, a political science professor at the University of Connecticut, explained what this means and how it happened.
“A federal government shutdown occurs when essentially Congress and the executive can’t reach an agreement on funding the government,” Hayes explained.
Under normal circumstances, Congress is required to pass a budget by Oct. 1 each year. When lawmakers fail to meet that deadline, they often rely on what’s known as a continuing resolution, which keeps the government temporarily funded while negotiations continue, according to Hayes.
“The shutdown happens because they can’t reach this agreement on passing appropriations, which fund the government,” said Hayes. “There are full shutdowns and partial shutdowns. In a partial one, non-essential employees are furloughed and don’t receive pay, though they often get back pay later.”
This year’s dispute largely centers on healthcare funding. According to Dr. Hayes, Democrats’ “main issue is taking a stronger stand on healthcare and the Affordable Care Act, which extended health coverage to millions of Americans.” The healthcare subsidies first expanded during the pandemic are set to expire, and Democrats are pushing for their renewal.
“There hasn’t really been serious negotiation on that from the Republican side,” he added. “Democrats see this as an opportunity to stand up for their core values.”
Republicans, meanwhile, argue that Democrats are unwilling to compromise.
“In the past, Republicans have led a lot of shutdowns,” Hayes said. “Now they’re saying you can’t hold the government hostage in this way just to get what you want.”
Since Congress adopted its modern budget process in 1976, there have been about 20 funding gaps.
“Partial shutdowns are more common than full ones,” Hayes noted, “but in contemporary American politics, we’re seeing these increasingly used.”
When asked what this shutdown in particular reveals about Washington D.C. politics, Hayes pointed to deepening partisan divides.
“You really see a breakdown in trust on both sides,” he said. “Democrats are openly talking about how they don’t trust Republicans to be honest negotiators.”
Hayes described recent meetings between President Donald Trump and congressional leaders as “photo ops” that failed to make progress, further eroding trust.
The effects of the shutdown are already being felt, according to Hayes.
“The people most affected are federal employees — especially non-essential workers who are missing paychecks,” Hayes explained. “It’s also harmful to morale in the federal government, which is already low.”
Beyond that, Hayes said local economies that rely on federal funding are also taking a hit.
“The last shutdown in 2018 lasted 35 days and cost about $3 billion,” Hayes noted. “This one has already lasted about half as long, so it’s likely to be similarly costly.”
Politically, the shutdown poses risks for both parties.
“It’s really unpopular to shut down the government,” Hayes said. “Republicans and the president get slightly more blame, but overall, Americans see it as dysfunction and gridlock.”
However, Hayes said the long-term impact may be limited.
“Past shutdowns haven’t had major electoral effects,” Hayes added. “People tend to forget by the next election.”
While shutdowns rarely produce major policy changes, they sometimes lead to short-term compromises.
“There might be an agreement on a continuing resolution and an immediate vote on extending healthcare subsidies,” Hayes suggested. “But I don’t see large policy changes resulting from this.”
Ultimately, Hayes said he believes the shutdown highlights broader issues in American democracy.
“It shows that the parties are increasingly far apart,” he said. “It also reflects an expansion of executive power—something President Trump has really taken further than past presidents. Mass firings of federal workers and ignoring congressional spending decisions mark a significant departure from previous norms.”
According to Hayes, the current dysfunction is the product of both polarization and the erosion of institutional trust.
“We’re in highly polarized times,” he concluded. “The actions of the Trump administration have been unprecedented, so it’s not surprising that we’re seeing this kind of government shutdown—it’s a symptom of deeper problems in our political system.”
Connecticut government officials have also been speaking out about this shutdown. Congressman John B. Larson (D-CT) has been vocal on his criticism of the Republican stance. In a recent statement, Larson attributed the standoff to the influence of Trump over House Republicans.
“Donald Trump told his Republican minions to prioritize politics over people,” Larson said. “He believes he can shut down government to enact his agenda while placing blame on Democrats. Some of the American people may have been born at night, but not last night. They know this is absolutely wrong.”
Larson further criticized Republican leaders for abandoning negotiations after Trump reportedly instructed them to “not even bother.” He contrasted that behavior with Democrats’ continued efforts to “keep the government open and protect Americans.”