The US government shutdown of 2013: A chaotic timeline
The 2013 US government shutdown was a tumultuous period marked by political brinkmanship and significant disruption. Here's a detailed timeline of the events that unfolded, highlighting the chaos endured by federal workers and the broader impact on services and the economy.
Day 1: October 1st
The shutdown commenced as the Senate rejected both the Republican-led House's stopgap funding bill and a Democratic alternative. This led to the furlough of 67,000 federal employees and the continued work of 730,000 without pay. The impact was immediate, with some national parks and public lands closing entirely, while others remained partially operational.
Day 10: October 10th
The Trump administration began issuing thousands of layoffs, affecting agencies like the EPA and the Departments of Commerce, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, and Treasury.
Day 14: October 14th
US airports refused to air a video by the Department of Homeland Security secretary, Kristi Noem, blaming Democrats for the shutdown. This incident sparked controversy and further highlighted the political tensions surrounding the shutdown.
Day 15: October 15th
A federal judge intervened, blocking the Trump administration from laying off thousands of federal workers. This decision temporarily mitigated the immediate impact on federal employees.
Day 16: October 16th
The Senate's funding bill vote failed for the 10th time, indicating the depth of the political divide and the challenges in reaching a compromise.
Day 17: October 17th
A key US nuclear agency announced it would send 80% of its workforce home, further illustrating the widespread impact of the shutdown on federal operations.
Day 18: October 18th
An estimated 7 million people marched against Trump across the country in coordinated protests, demonstrating public opposition to the administration's policies and the shutdown.
Day 20: October 20th
All federal courts lost funding and were forced to operate under the Antideficiency Act, significantly limiting their activities. Federal judges continued to serve, but court staff faced furloughs, leading to criminal trial delays and mounting civil case backlogs.
Day 22: October 22nd
The shutdown became the second-longest in US history, surpassing the 1995-96 shutdown. Additionally, Senator Jeff Merkley held a 22-hour floor speech in protest of Trump's authoritarianism, showcasing the intense political tensions.
Day 23: October 23rd
The Senate failed to pass a bill to pay federal essential workers and troops, further exacerbating the impact on federal employees and their families.
Day 24: October 24th
Federal workers missed their first full paycheck during the shutdown, creating financial strain and frustration.
Day 27: October 27th
Everett Kelley, the leader of the top federal worker union, called for an end to the shutdown, emphasizing the need for a resolution to protect federal employees and their livelihoods.
Day 28: October 28th
Democratic attorneys general from 25 states sued the Trump administration over the suspension of Snap food benefits, seeking to protect vulnerable populations.
Day 29: October 29th
The Trump administration was blocked from suspending Snap benefits for millions of Americans. The Congressional Budget Office estimated $7 billion in economic losses due to the shutdown.
Day 30: October 30th
Trump called for the elimination of the Senate filibuster, a controversial move that could significantly alter the legislative process.
Day 31: October 31st
The Trump administration reallocated funds to pay active-duty troops, highlighting the prioritization of certain groups over others during the shutdown.
Day 32: November 1st
Snap benefits stopped for 42-43 million Americans as the agriculture department ran out of funding. The Trump administration's memo ordering states to stop 'unauthorized' benefits was issued, despite federal court rulings declaring the withholding illegal.
Day 35: November 4th
Democrats made significant gains in Virginia, New Jersey, California, and New York City's mayoral election, showcasing the public's response to the shutdown and the administration's policies.
Day 36: November 5th
The shutdown became the longest in US history, surpassing the 2018-19 Trump shutdown. Trump blamed the GOP's election losses on the shutdown, reigniting calls for an end to the filibuster.
Day 38: November 7th
The Federal Aviation Administration announced flight reductions at 40 major airports, causing further disruptions for travelers.
Day 39: November 9th
Seven moderate Democrats and one independent joined Republicans in a procedural vote to break the six-week logjam. This coalition, including Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, Angus King, Tim Kaine, Catherine Cortez Masto, Jacky Rosen, Dick Durbin, and John Fetterman, negotiated a deal to end the shutdown.
Day 40: November 10th
The coalition voted to approve the final funding bill, sending it back to the House. The bill did not guarantee an extension of the Affordable Care Act marketplace tax credits, a key Democratic demand.
Day 42: November 12th
The House passed the funding bill 222-209, with six Democrats breaking ranks to support it. This marked a significant moment in the shutdown's resolution, as the bill's passage signaled a potential end to the political stalemate.
