But in 1980 and 1981, the United States attorney general, Benjamin R. Civiletti, issued two opinions that emphasized that approach was illegal and the government could not spend money without congressional appropriations.
What resulted was a tightening of the budget process, Professor Meyers said. That, in turn, prompted an increased frequency of small shutdowns as politicians struggled with deadlines.
In November 1981, President Reagan, in a fight with Congress over $8.5 billion in budget cuts he wanted, ordered the furlough of 241,000 of government employees, the first time a shutdown of that size was ordered, The New York Times reported.
Later that day, Congress passed and the president signed a continuing resolution, according to the Congressional Research Service. A congressional subcommittee estimated that the furlough cost taxpayers between $80 million and $90 million, including administrative costs, such as figuring out who could and couldn’t work and paying workers who didn’t end up working.
A half-day shutdown in 1986 led to the furlough of 500,000 workers, costing taxpayers more than $62 million in lost work, The Times reported. A three-day shutdown of national parks and museums in October 1990 was estimated to cost nearly $1.7 million, including lost work and administrative costs.
The shutdowns get bigger
The biggest shutdown came in 1995.
At issue was a long-term budget backed by Republicans, who swept into office halfway through President Clinton’s first term. Among other things, their plan had limited spending for Medicare and turned Medicaid and most other welfare programs over to the states.
House Republicans, in particular, were keen on using a shutdown to get Mr. Clinton to sign their bill, and resisted his preference that the government be reopened during negotiations, The Times reported.
from Just News Update http://bit.ly/2BBVLn3
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