Reagan opposes water projects and civil rights measure afternoon shutdown places 500,000 on furlough

On October 4, 1984, an afternoon shutdown occurs when President Reagan mounts opposition to a proposed appropriations bill containing a water projects package and a civil rights measure. Reagan objects to both provisions on conservative principle, he opposes federal water projects as wasteful and civil rights measures as federal overreach. The shutdown affects approximately 500,000 federal workers and covers about nine of the thirteen appropriations bills not yet passed. Congress is forced to remove the opposed water projects and civil rights language from the bill in order to secure Reagan's signature. In a compromise, Congress agrees to include funding for the Nicaraguan Contras, a priority for Reagan, in exchange for his acceptance on other spending matters. Economists estimate the short shutdown costs taxpayers approximately $65 million in back pay.