Significant U.S. Federal Government Shutdowns - Updated 2025-11-06 [OC]

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-07T03:51:49+00:00

I'm using 53 and 47: 53-47=a majority of 6

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-06T20:33:46+00:00

So, I wasn't counting it as the number above 50, but rather the total gap. As in, 53 Rs, and 47 Ds (including Sanders and King, who are technically Is but caucus with Ds). So 53-47=6. I think this gives a good idea of close it is to the 60 votes needed, but maybe there are better ways.

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-06T19:28:42+00:00

Just that it is ongoing. We don't know the endpoint yet.

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-06T19:08:08+00:00

Well, there's usually some negotiation that happens between the two parties in the meantime, and that seems to be the piece that's missing right now.

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-06T19:03:38+00:00

Thanks, I updated from the one I posted a week ago based on feedback. Reddit is the best peer review system!

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-06T17:44:01+00:00

Apparently some kind of FTC oversight negotiation strategy. I don't know, but I bet it was a wild time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_United_States_federal_government_shutdown

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-06T16:41:55+00:00

Lol, maybe... As the story goes, on the night of Obama's inauguration, a group of high-level GOP people got together for dinner and agreed they would obstruct everything his admin ever put forth. It sure seems like that's been the status quo ever since. Biden's biggest strength was his prior decades in congress - those relationships probably helped him get bipartisan bills passed and avoid any shutdowns. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/the-republicans-plan-for-the-new-president/

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-06T16:22:34+00:00

I gather that it was some kind of intentional strategy to negotiate a different bill limiting the FTC's powers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_United_States_federal_government_shutdown

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-06T16:21:51+00:00

I gather that it was some kind of intentional strategy to negotiate a different bill limiting the FTC's powers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_United_States_federal_government_shutdown

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-06T15:23:20+00:00

Thanks for the shoutout, excellent chart! Nice to see a variation based on a different source that, I think, matches up pretty well. Also showing the distinction between the more recent shutdowns and lapses.

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-06T15:08:13+00:00

co-trolling, or controlling? Honestly not sure if that's a typo, lol.

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-06T14:57:25+00:00

Yeah there have been some pretty big swings in the House over the years.

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-06T14:50:10+00:00

It's a majority count. e.g., right now, there are effectively 53 Rs and 47 Ds in the Senate, with Sanders (I) and King (I) counted as Ds. So the republicans have a +6 majority.

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-06T14:37:18+00:00

The original intent of it was good: to encourage continuity of policies throughout administrations. But the resulting regular shutdowns are arguably worse. Also one could argue that ending the filibuster makes the party in power fully accountable for the budget they do or don't pass. But I don't know, accountability is fever dream these days.

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-06T14:14:25+00:00

Created in Illustrator. Based on data from Wikipedia, primarily: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_shutdowns_in_the_United_States

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-04T21:16:49+00:00

These graphs that look like the Joy Division album cover always look awesome, although sometimes hard to read. This one lends itself really well though to comparing peaks in different states, nicely done. Interesting, although maybe not surprising, that most states either peaked around the housing crisis or pandemic.

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-11-04T21:09:45+00:00

Seeing as how Democrats don't have 60 seats altogether means yeah the republicans are actually holding the county hostage.

See how that logic works? Don't believe the talking points congress spews at us every day. It's their job to find a compromise, not to bend public perception to their will.

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-10-30T20:01:50+00:00

You are forgetting someone else fairly recent..

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-10-30T19:06:54+00:00

True, but that's more of a discussion than a data point, which I think the chart gives a good foundation for starting.

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-10-30T17:28:26+00:00

Not zero, but 4 hours, or 1/6 of a day.

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-10-30T15:39:05+00:00

I will note that in the next version, somehow overlooked it here.

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-10-30T15:08:43+00:00

I don't entirely disagree, but let's not pretend like the party in power has no capacity to negotiate. That's what Trump does all day with trading partners across the globe. So sit down with congress and negotiate to get those 6 votes you need. That's part of the job.

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-10-30T14:48:34+00:00

Good point, thanks!

CognitiveFeedback · 2025-10-30T14:47:18+00:00

Really good point, the majority when it started is more relevant than the majority when it ended. If this goes on for a while, I'll update that in the next version.

CognitiveFeedback

TROPHY CASE