Shutdown Showdown: What Happens When Government Stops?

The federal government occasionally shuts down when the political parties in Congress can’t agree on a budget. For some, it’s a sign of standing firm on principles or fiscal responsibility; for others, it represents political dysfunction that harms workers and the public. It can also raise concerns about the nation’s financial stability.

At this meeting, we’ll explore what government shutdowns mean to us and what they reveal about how our system functions.
We’ll ask questions such as:

• What do you think a government shutdown says about how our democracy is working?
• How do shutdowns affect you personally or people you know?
• In what ways do shutdowns affect your trust in government and political parties?
• What do you think leads each party to take the stands they do during a shutdown?
• In what situations, if any, do you think it’s justified to vote against a continuing resolution?

Other Questions

• How do you view shutdowns — as a necessary part of political negotiation, a failure of leadership, or something else?
• How do you think budget disputes could be handled differently?
• What do you see as the deeper causes of government shutdowns?
• What do you think motivates the decisions or strategies that lead to shutdowns?
• How do you feel about elected officials having the ability to let the government shut down?

This will be an opportunity to hear a range of opinions about government shutdowns and to explore what these moments tell us about our country’s priorities and values.

Please do your best to arrive at the beginning of the meeting – once we are in breakout rooms and the conversations have started, the meeting doors close to new arrivals. The breakout rooms open (and the doors close) approximately 15 minutes after the hour.

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