Why do Government Shutdowns Happen? with Philip Joyce

This fall, our federal government has teetered on the edge of shutdown more than once before a last-minute agreement could be reached. As of this episode, yet another Continuing Resolution has extended the day of reckoning to either mid-January or early February, depending on the agency. 

Unfortunately, this is not the first time discord in Congress has disrupted government operations, and it's not likely to be the last. While the process of Congressional appropriations is byzantine and wonky, it has enormous implications for the basic function and effectiveness of government. Shutdowns, even the threat of shutdowns, bring significant negative impacts to the American public, whether they recognize it or not. 

This week, we're joined by Philip Joyce, Professor of Public Policy at the University of Maryland. He'll take us into the weeds of how and why Congressional budgeting works (or rather doesn't work), the effects of shutdowns, and whether we can prevent this kind of instability in the future. 

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Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria Tells
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young Community
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound)