How long will the federal shutdown last? Here are lessons from previous budget battles.

December 29, 2018 3oliver

WASHINGTON – If the current government shutdown were a movie, it would be a remake. The partial shutdown of federal agencies that began a week ago marks the twenty-first time Americans have watched this tale of conflict and stalemate.

Many of the past dramas drew less notice because of their brevity.

The deadlock between President Donald Trump and Democrats is in its second week — still far from three-week saga during the 1990s. But as it drags on, the fight over funding for Trump’s proposed border wall is evoking comparisons to the ’90s budget fight and other past standoffs.

shutdown” data-reactid=”8″>More: Why Trump and lawmakers are still getting paid during shutdown

If there is any lesson from the past shutdowns, it would appear that a resolution comes when public frustration with the inaction begins to boil over. So, keep an eye on the polls to see whether the public sides with Trump or congressional Democrats.

Here is a look at the four longest government shutdowns, why they happened and the fallout from each.

Clinton vs. Gingrich

It was the second standoff between the two, both over taxes, and came just a month after a five-day shutdown from Nov. 13-19. 2015.

Gingrich and other congressional Republicans wanted to reduce spending. Clinton refused to make the cuts they wanted. Gingrich then refused to raise the debt limit. The shutdown ended when the two sides agreed to a seven-year budget plan with some spending cuts and tax increases.

Polls gave Clinton the nod in this duel. His approval ratings rose and he was elected to a second term that fall. Many criticized Gingrich for his behavior during this time, especially when he complained about being forced to exit Air Force One from the back of the plane.

Carter vs. Congress

President Jimmy Carter prepares to make a national television address from the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, on the failed mission to rescue the Iran hostages on April 25, 1980.

He saw these projects as wasteful spending. More critically, funding for the Department of Health, Education and Welfare was delayed because of a dispute involving Medicaid funding for abortion.

Carter succeeded in getting the projects he opposed stripped from legislation and the House and Senate passed a bill that expanded the exceptions to the Medicaid abortion ban to include rape and incest.

Obamacare or bust

The Senate, controlled by Democrats, rejected the plan. The resulting impasse shut down the government. The standoff ended when Republicans conceded defeat and a deal was worked out to reopen the government. Polls showed that Republicans took the brunt of the blame.

Abortion shutdown

House Democrats wanted to continue a ban on using Medicaid to pay for abortions, except in cases when the mother’s life was in jeopardy. Senate Democrats wanted funding to be allowed in cases of rape or incest.

The shutdown ended when a short-term funding bill was passed that allowed for more time for the two sides to negotiate. Republicans ended up benefiting politically because it was an intraparty fight among Democrats that had shuttered government.