Parties that had control of the House and Senate during each government shutdown.

This animated chart shows which parties held majority control of the House and Senate during each government shutdown. Government shutdowns technically only occurred after 1980, as failure to meet budget deadlines before that time generally saw federal agencies continue operating normally. A reinterpretation of the Antideficiency Act in 1980 and 1981 ultimately meant that funding gaps resulted in shutdowns (meaning furloughed workers and federal agencies halting), which are those shown in this graphic.

Journalist: Samuel Asher