Clinton vetoes final Republican budget package CR expires triggering first government shutdown

On November 14, 1995, after a temporary continuing resolution expires and meetings between Democratic and Republican leaders fail to end the budgetary deadlock, the federal government shuts down. President Clinton refuses to sign the Republican spending bill, which contains provisions he views as unacceptable. These include major spending cuts affecting education, environmental protection, public health, and Medicare. The bill also threatens to block a Medicare premium reduction Clinton had scheduled. Republicans demand a balanced budget framework Clinton opposes. The shutdown affects about 800,000 federal workers, furloughed without pay during the impasse. National parks and museums close. Treasury officials work without paychecks. The standoff reflects fundamental disagreement over the size and scope of government spending, with Clinton fighting to preserve social investments while House Republicans seek to impose stricter fiscal discipline.