![House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, speaks during a news conference at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., on February 14, 2024.](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Mike-Johnson-Getty.jpg)
On the Brink of a Government Shutdown—Again On the Brink of a Government Shutdown—Again
For the fourth time since January, Congress is facing a deadline to fund essential spending priorities. The House GOP has neither shame nor sense of responsibility.
Feb 28, 2024 / Chris Lehmann
![Kevin McCarthy speaking to two reporters in the Capitol.](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/kevin-mccarthy-reporters-ap-img.jpg)
The Perils of My Kevin The Perils of My Kevin
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy averted a government shutdown with massive help from Democrats. Will he save his job the same way?
Oct 2, 2023 / Joan Walsh
![Florida Representative Matt Gaetz exits a GOP caucus meeting about the federal budget.](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1GaetzCrop.jpg)
What’s at Stake in the MAGA Shutdown Threats What’s at Stake in the MAGA Shutdown Threats
The immediate specter of a shutdown has abated, but the GOP’s appetite for destruction remains intact.
Oct 2, 2023 / Max B. Sawicky
![The US Capitol against a blue sky with yellow Caution tape in the foreground.](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/capitol-caution-gt-img.jpg)
You Made Your Bed, My Kevin. Now Toss and Turn in It. You Made Your Bed, My Kevin. Now Toss and Turn in It.
McCarthy’s desperation to keep the House speakership is driving the country toward shutdown. And he isn’t doing too well himself.
Sep 29, 2023 / Joan Walsh
![Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), a member of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus, talks to reporters on his way to a House Republican caucus meeting at the US Capitol on September 19, 2023, in Washington, DC. Gaetz opposes a deal between factions of House Republicans to pass a stopgap spending bill and avoid a government shutdown, which will be tested Tuesday with a procedural vote.](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/house-caucus-getty.jpg)
The Government Shutdown Is a Cartoonishly Bad—but Still Terrifying—Sequel The Government Shutdown Is a Cartoonishly Bad—but Still Terrifying—Sequel
The latest congressional villains are the GOP’s hard-right nihilists, but their motives for sabotaging the government make no sense.
Sep 19, 2023 / Chris Lehmann
![Sen. Kyrsten Sinema](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/kyrsten-sinema-ap-img.jpg)
Will Corporate Democrats Derail Biden’s Agenda? Will Corporate Democrats Derail Biden’s Agenda?
This week, Americans may get a sobering insight into how corrupted our politics have become.
Sep 28, 2021 / Katrina vanden Heuvel
![Trump discusses immigration proposals](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/trump-looks-like-idiot-rtr-img.jpg)
Yes, We Can Stop Trump’s Fake National Emergency Yes, We Can Stop Trump’s Fake National Emergency
Three ways to stop the scam to steal the money to build the wall.
Feb 15, 2019 / Elie Mystal
![Government Shutdown](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/gov-shutdown-rtr-img.jpg)
Pledge: Let’s Make February 16 National Stayaway Day Pledge: Let’s Make February 16 National Stayaway Day
If the shutdown resumes, we urge federal workers to stay away from work and their allies to occupy airports on 2/16.
Feb 7, 2019 / Sarita Gupta and Erica Smiley
![Shutdown Workers](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Shutdown-workers-brooklyn-rtr-img.jpg)
Trump’s Record-Breaking Shutdown Was Possible Only Because America Doesn’t Protect Working People Trump’s Record-Breaking Shutdown Was Possible Only Because America Doesn’t Protect Working People
In other countries, locking out hundreds of thousands of public servants would lead to strikes. But not here.
Feb 6, 2019 / Joshua Holland
![TSA Workers During Shutdown](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/TSA-shutdown-ap-img.jpg)
The Shutdown Taught Us About the Dignity of Work The Shutdown Taught Us About the Dignity of Work
An unanticipated civics lesson, courtesy of President Trump.
Jan 29, 2019 / Harry C. Boyte