2018–19 United States federal government shutdown facts for kids

On Saturday, December 22, 2018, at midnight EST, the U.S. government started a shutdown. This happened because lawmakers in the U.S. Congress could not agree on how to fund the government for the new fiscal year. They also couldn't agree on a short-term plan called a continuing resolution.

The shutdown lasted until January 25, 2019, making it the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. President Donald Trump refused to sign a bill to keep the government open. He wanted more money to build a wall on the border with Mexico. This disagreement led to the shutdown, which cost billions of dollars.

What is a Government Shutdown?

A government shutdown happens when the U.S. Congress and the President cannot agree on how to fund the government. Each year, Congress needs to pass bills that decide how much money different government agencies get. If these bills are not passed by a certain deadline, many parts of the government have to close down.

When a shutdown happens, many government workers are told to stay home without pay. Essential services, like national security or emergency services, usually continue. But things like national parks, museums, and some government offices might close.

Why Did This Shutdown Happen?

The main reason for the 2018-2019 shutdown was a disagreement over border security. President Trump wanted $5.7 billion to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Democrats in Congress did not want to approve this much money for the wall.

They believed other ways to secure the border were better. Because neither side would change their mind, they couldn't agree on a spending bill. This led to the government running out of money and shutting down.

Who Was Affected by the Shutdown?

Many people were affected by the shutdown, including:

• Government Workers: About 800,000 federal employees were either sent home or had to work without pay. This caused financial stress for many families.
• Public Services: National parks and some museums closed or had limited staff. This meant less cleaning and maintenance, and some areas became messy.
• Businesses: Many businesses that rely on government contracts or services were also affected. For example, some small businesses couldn't get loans approved.
• Travelers: Airport security (TSA) workers continued to work, but some worried about staffing levels.

How Did the Shutdown End?

The shutdown ended on January 25, 2019. President Trump signed a bill that funded the government for three weeks. This temporary agreement allowed federal workers to return to their jobs and get paid.

The agreement did not include the money President Trump wanted for the border wall. Both sides agreed to keep talking about border security funding during the three-week period.

Images for kids

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  Muir Beach Overlook in San Francisco, closed for the shutdown in December 2018

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  President Trump meets with Congressional leadership in the White House Situation Room on January 2, 2019

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  Border statistics: Both the population of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. and southwestern border apprehensions have declined significantly over the past decade.

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  USDA's website during the shutdown as of January 13, 2019

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  Fort Point, San Francisco under shutdown

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  Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge under shutdown on January 3

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  National Archives and Records Administration website shutdown message

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  TSA shutdown message as of January 21, 2019

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  American Federation of Government Employees protest on January 10 in D.C.

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  Union members protest in Dallas on January 10

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  Union members rally in McAllen, Texas, on January 11

See also

In Spanish: Cierre parcial del Gobierno Federal de los Estados Unidos de 2018-2019 para niños