A Record of Failure: The 36-Day Shutdown and the Abdication of Governing Duty

The Unfolding Crisis

As of this writing, the United States government has been partially shut down for 36 consecutive days, setting a grim new record for the longest such lapse in funding in the nation’s history. This milestone is not a cause for celebration but a stark indictment of a political system failing its most fundamental test: the basic maintenance of government operations. The human and economic toll is mounting by the hour, with federal workers facing unpaid bills, essential services straining under the pressure, and millions of Americans who depend on programs like SNAP benefits facing an uncertain future. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a dire warning that a 10 percent reduction in air traffic control services will be implemented if the shutdown continues through the coming Friday, threatening travel safety and commerce. This is the tangible cost of political paralysis.

The Political Context

The immediate context for this crisis, as reported, includes the recent election night where Democrats demonstrated a “strong showing.” In the aftermath, President Donald Trump reportedly conceded that his party is “shouldering the blame” for the ongoing shutdown. Despite this admission, the path to a resolution remains blocked. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, in an interview, revealed that he and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer requested a meeting with President Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senate Republican Leader John Thune. As of the interview, they had received no response. Leader Jeffries characterized the Republican leadership as “missing in action,” noting that the House of Representatives has canceled votes for six consecutive weeks, effectively placing lawmakers on a “taxpayer-funded vacation” during a national crisis.

The Human Toll of Political Intransigence

Beyond the statistics and political posturing lies a deeply human story of hardship. Leader Jeffries powerfully articulated the struggle of “everyday Americans” who are “working hard” and “playing by the rules, but they can’t get ahead and they can barely get by.” He connected the shutdown to a broader “affordability crisis,” citing skyrocketing costs for housing, electricity, childcare, and groceries. A particularly alarming consequence he highlighted is the impending expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits, which he warned could force “tens of millions of Americans” to see their health insurance premiums increase dramatically, in some cases by “$1,000 or $2,000 more per month.” This is not abstract policy; it is a direct threat to the health and financial security of American families. The shutdown exacerbates these pre-existing conditions, creating a perfect storm of anxiety and instability for the most vulnerable among us.

An Opinion on Institutional Betrayal

This 36-day shutdown is more than a political dispute; it is a profound betrayal of the public trust and a direct assault on the principles of democratic governance. The core function of any government is to govern—to pass budgets, fund essential services, and ensure the stability of the state. The Republican leadership’s refusal to even engage in negotiations represents an absolute abdication of this most basic duty. To be “missing in action” during a self-inflicted crisis is a dereliction of duty of the highest order. It transforms the halls of Congress from a workshop of democracy into a monument to partisan obstruction. The decision to cancel House votes for weeks on end is an insult to every taxpayer who funds these salaries and every citizen who depends on a functioning government. It signals a contempt for the institution itself and for the people it is meant to serve.

The characterization of this period as a “taxpayer-funded vacation” is not mere political rhetoric; it is a devastatingly accurate description of a fundamental injustice. While air traffic controllers work without pay and families worry about putting food on the table, those with the power to end the crisis are absent without leave. This creates a dangerous two-tiered system: one for the political class, who appear insulated from the consequences of their actions, and another for the rest of the country, who bear the full brunt of their failure. This erodes the very social contract that binds a nation together—the promise that our representatives will act in the public interest.

The Erosion of the Rule of Law

A government shutdown of this length and severity is a symptom of a deeper disease: the erosion of the rule of law. The rule of law depends on predictability, stability, and the consistent application of rules. A functioning budget process is a cornerstone of that stability. When that process collapses for over a month, it injects chaos and uncertainty into the economy and society. It tells businesses they cannot rely on government services, it tells citizens that their safety nets are fragile, and it signals to the world that the United States is incapable of managing its own affairs. This damages our international standing and weakens the foundations of our economic and political system. The rule of law is not upheld solely by courts and police; it is upheld by a government that reliably performs its essential functions. When that reliability vanishes, so too does public confidence in the system itself.

The False Equivalence and the Demand for Accountability

In the face of such a clear failure, there is a dangerous temptation to assign blame equally to both parties—a false equivalence that obscures the truth. The facts, as presented, are clear: one side has control of the House and is refusing to hold votes. One side has been requested to meet and has not responded. The duty to govern falls on the majority. The American people must see this situation for what it is: a deliberate choice by one party to prioritize political strategy over the national welfare. The election results, which Leader Jeffries cited as a “decisive set of victories for the American people,” suggest that the public is indeed processing this reality and demanding accountability. The victories of figures across the Democratic spectrum, from a Democratic socialist in New York to a centrist like Abigail Spanberger in Virginia, indicate a common desire for functional governance that addresses the affordability crisis, not partisan gamesmanship.

A Call to Uphold Democratic Principles

As a firm supporter of the Constitution and the principles of liberty and democracy, I find this shutdown intolerable. The preamble to the Constitution tasks the government with purposes such as “insuring domestic Tranquility” and “promoting the general Welfare.” A record-breaking shutdown achieves the exact opposite. It foments domestic anxiety and actively undermines the general welfare. The Bill of Rights guarantees liberties, but those liberties are meaningless without a stable, functional government to protect them. Freedom cannot flourish in an environment of chaos and institutional collapse.

This moment requires a sober reckoning. It is a test of our national character. Will we allow our governing institutions to be held hostage to political brinksmanship? Or will we demand that our elected officials remember their oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States—an oath that implies a duty to keep the government itself functioning? The solution is not complex; it requires a simple act of political courage: a return to the negotiating table, a good-faith effort to compromise, and a vote to reopen the government. The American people deserve leaders who will solve problems, not create them. The record of the last 36 days is a record of failure, and it is a stain on our democracy that must be cleansed by immediate, responsible action. The future of our republic depends on it.