THE
CIVILIAN CIVILIAN
A STUDENT PUBLICATION FOR THE LSU LAW CENTER COMMUNITY FEBRUARY 2018 | VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 4
Less than two months into 2018, the couldn’t agree on the budget for the 2018 fiscal year and federal government has experienced two clashed over the status of the Deferred Action for Childhood separate shutdowns. Arrivals immigration policy. That shutdown ended when the The first anniversary of Donald Trump’s House passed a bill to fund the government through February presidential inauguration was marked by 8.
a three-day government shutdown earlier But when the deadline rolled around, Congress failed to agree this year, beginning Saturday, January 20 again, leading to a second, much shorter shutdown. and ending Monday, January 22. Early on the morning of February 9, Congress agreed on a Rachel Warren The second shutdown took place less than spending bill which funds the government through March 23. Staff Writer three weeks later, but only lasted a few Despite what the name implies, a shutdown doesn’t shut hours from 12:01 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. on Friday, February 9. down the entire government. Instead, non-essential federal A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass programs, which are funded by the government’s discretionary legislation to fund government agencies or operations. It can budget, close and thousands of non-essential employees are also happen when the President fails to sign that legislation. sent home without pay for the duration of the event. When members of Congress aren’t able to agree on budget The discretionary budget also funds several essential services, decisions, it enacts a continuing funding resolution. But if like defense, national safety and security, which are not shut Congress can’t agree on one, it forces a shutdown. down. Most of those agencies are set up so they can operate The January shutdown came when members of the Senate for several weeks without receiving funding. continued on page 2...