Dear ChatGPT: List the history of government shutdowns in American history

- Click here for the answer. 

- Detail the history of the 1995–96 government shutdown.

Why Shutdowns Happen

A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass (and the President fails to sign) appropriations or continuing resolutions funding federal agencies.

Root cause: breakdown in the federal appropriations process
Legal trigger: Antideficiency Act.
- Prohibits agencies from spending money not appropriated by Congress
Turning point: Benjamin Civiletti opinions (1980–1981)
- Required agencies to actually shut down operations, rather than continue informally

Before 1980, funding gaps occurred, but full shutdowns did not.