北美观察丨7年再停摆：美财政困局与制度痼疾的恶性循环

Core Points - The U.S. federal government has shut down for the first time in nearly seven years due to the Senate's failure to pass bipartisan funding bills, affecting hundreds of thousands of federal employees and halting services across various departments [1][4] - This shutdown is part of a recurring fiscal crisis that has plagued Washington for the past 40 years, with a total of 14 government shutdowns recorded since 1980 [4][12] Economic Impact - Historical data shows that government shutdowns have resulted in significant economic losses, ranging from hundreds of millions to over a hundred billion dollars, with the 2018-2019 shutdown alone costing approximately $11 billion, of which $3 billion is unrecoverable [5][11] - Industries closely tied to federal procurement, such as tourism, aviation, and defense contracting, are particularly vulnerable, with small businesses facing cash flow issues due to halted government contracts [5][11] Systemic Issues - The U.S. budget process is characterized by its fragility and complexity, requiring Congress to pass twelve regular appropriations bills each fiscal year. Failure to do so leads to government shutdowns [12][13] - Political polarization and the influence of a minority within the parties exacerbate the budget impasse, as seen in past shutdowns where ideological differences have led to prolonged negotiations and deadlock [12][14] Future Outlook - The likelihood of a short-term shutdown followed by emergency temporary funding is high, as both parties face increasing public and market pressure to reach a compromise [14][15] - If the deadlock extends beyond two weeks, the economic repercussions could escalate, prompting a need for bipartisan intervention to resolve the crisis [15]