国际观察丨将破纪录——美国停不下来的联邦政府“停摆”

Core Points - The U.S. federal government shutdown has reached its 36th day, breaking the previous record of 35 days set in late 2018 to early 2019, marking it as the longest shutdown in U.S. history [2][3] - The ongoing shutdown is a result of escalating political conflicts between the Democratic and Republican parties, with both sides prioritizing political gains over addressing public welfare [2][3][13] - The shutdown has significant economic implications, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating a potential decline in the U.S. GDP growth rate by 1 to 2 percentage points in Q4, and a loss of approximately $15 billion for each week the shutdown continues [5][8] Political Dynamics - The failure to pass a temporary funding bill in the Senate has occurred 14 times, with both parties using the shutdown to advance their political agendas rather than seeking a resolution [3][9] - The Republican party, under the Trump administration, aims to leverage the shutdown to implement government downsizing and expand executive power, while the Democrats are using a hardline stance to consolidate party unity and focus on healthcare issues for the upcoming midterm elections [3][5] - The political polarization has intensified, with both parties engaging in blame-shifting rather than constructive negotiations, leading to a perception among the public that both parties are equally at fault [13][15] Societal Impact - The shutdown has severely affected various social welfare programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which has halted benefits for the first time in its 60-year history, leading to potential catastrophic consequences for food security [7][8] - The healthcare sector is also impacted, with the Affordable Care Act's enrollment process facing disruptions due to unresolved funding issues, potentially resulting in significant premium increases for 2026 [7][8] - Transportation services have been disrupted, with thousands of air traffic controllers and security personnel working without pay, leading to increased flight delays and cancellations, which could have broader economic repercussions [8][9] Historical Context - The frequency and duration of government shutdowns have increased over the years, evolving into a political norm characterized by extreme partisanship and a lack of compromise [9][11] - Historical instances of shutdowns date back to 1976, with the longest previous shutdown occurring from late 2018 to early 2019, which lasted 35 days and resulted in an estimated $3 billion loss to the GDP [11][12] - Experts attribute the current shutdown crisis to systemic governance failures, suggesting that the budgetary process in Congress requires significant reform to prevent future occurrences [17][18]