Truthout
Government Shutdown
![A USA flag and a pride flag fly over blue cloudy sky](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2024/03/2024_0325-flags-400x300.jpg)
Government Spending Bill Will Prohibit Flying Pride Flags at Embassies
“LGBTQ+ rights should be nonnegotiable,” said LGBTQ legislative researcher Allison Chapman.
![From left, Representatives Andy Ogles, Keith Self, Ralph Norman, Matt Rosendale and Bob Good conduct a news conference with members of the House Freedom Caucus on the fiscal year 2024 appropriations process, outside the the U.S. Capitol on July 25, 2023.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2024/02/2024_0222-house-freedom-caucus-400x300.jpg)
House Republicans Threaten Government Shutdown in Push for Anti-Trans Policies
These policies encompass bans on pride flags and the defunding of children’s hospitals that offer gender-affirming care.
![Speaker of the House Mike Johnson departs from a news conference after a weekly Republican conference meeting in the U.S. Capitol Building on November 14, 2023, in Washington, D.C.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/11/2023_1115-mike-johnson-400x300.jpg)
Nearly 100 Republicans Vote Against Bill to Narrowly Avert Government Shutdown
The bill is structured as a compromise to the furthest right wing members of Congress — who voted “no” anyway.
![Cars drive past the U.S. Capitol during a vote on a continuing resolution to fund the government on September 30, 2023, in Washington, D.C.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/10/2023_1003-capitol-400x300.jpg)
Our Recurring Flirtation With Government Shutdowns Reveals a System in Crisis
Our dysfunctional political system uses the debt ceiling to inflict cruelty on the poor and the working class.
![A child participates in activities at the Head Start classroom in the Carl and Norma Miller Children's Center on March 13, 2023, in Frederick, Maryland.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/10/2023_1003-child-care-400x300.jpg)
Billions in Emergency Child Care Funding Just Expired Due to Government Inaction
More than 70,000 child care programs could be forced to close, and 232,000 child care workers may lose their jobs.
![Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy speaks to reporters outside of his office after arriving at the U.S. Capitol Building on October 2, 2023, in Washington, D.C.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/10/2023_1003-kevin-mccarthy-400x300.jpg)
Democrats to McCarthy: No Help on Speakership Vote Without Concessions
“It’s not up to Democrats to save Republicans,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said.
![House Speaker Kevin McCarthy walks to the House Chamber before a vote on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on September 30, 2023.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1700248088-400x300.jpg)
Congress Avoids Government Shutdown and Far Right Budget Demands — for Now
The agreement funds the government for 45 days and includes $16 billion in disaster relief for New York City flooding.
![Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy talks to reporters following a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on September 27, 2023, in Washington, D.C.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/09/2023_0929-kevin-mccarthy-400x300.jpg)
Far Right Republicans Are Considering Ousting McCarthy From Speaker Role
It's not a matter of if, but when, Freedom Caucus members try to boot McCarthy, sources say.
![Activists from the Sunrise Movement occupy Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy's office on September 28, 2023.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/09/2023_0929-sunrise-movement-400x300.jpg)
18 Youth Sunrise Movement Activists Arrested for Occupying McCarthy’s Office
“We are fed up and we won't take it anymore,” one activist said.
![Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Rep. Pramila Jayapal speaks during a news conference on government shutdown at the U.S. Capitol on September 20, 2023, in Washington, D.C.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/09/2023_0929-jayapal-400x300.jpg)
Dem-Led Caucuses Slam GOP for Adding Anti-Immigration Agenda to Funding Bill
“It is not appropriate to establish new immigration and border policy” in this way, they said in a joint statement.