History of government budget shutdowns?

[nancylebov]

I half heard an NPR show on the subject. Unfortunately, I can't remember whether it was a judicial(?) decision during the Carter or Clinton administration which causes the government to shut down if there isn't an agreement about the budget.

Anyone know the details?

Comments

[whc.livejournal.com]

I'd heard that is was a law from the 19th century that keeps them from spending money without a budget.

[dglenn.livejournal.com]

19th C. law apparently mostly treated as just a suggestion until the Carter administration said to take it seriously, according to page two of this article.

[nancylebov.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much. This doesn't explain the lack of common sense which led to that interpretation being adopted, but at least it's clear that it's the result of specific decisions.

Weirdly, it doesn't seem to be a result of right-wing anti-government sentiment.